Le Nobel de chimie consacre de nouvelles structures moléculaires au “potentiel énorme”

Le Nobel de chimie 2025 a été décerné mercredi à un trio de chimistes ayant développé de nouvelles structures moléculaires capables d’emprisonner des gaz.Le trio composé du Japonais Susumu Kitagawa, de Richard Robson, né au Royaume-Uni, et de l’Américano-Jordanien Omar M. Yaghi a été récompensé pour “le développement des structures métallo-organiques” (MOF), selon le jury.”Ces constructions, les structures métallo-organiques, peuvent être utilisées pour récupérer l’eau de l’air du désert, capturer le dioxyde de carbone, stocker des gaz toxiques ou catalyser des réactions chimiques”, a-t-il souligné dans un communiqué.Les noms de Yaghi et Kitagawa revenaient depuis plusieurs années dans les prévisions des experts pour le Nobel de chimie. Ces structures “ont un potentiel énorme, car elles offrent des possibilités jusqu’alors insoupçonnées de créer des matériaux sur mesure dotés de nouvelles fonctions”, a déclaré Heiner Linke, président du comité Nobel de chimie, dans un communiqué.En variant les éléments constitutifs utilisés dans les MOF, “les chimistes peuvent les concevoir pour capturer et stocker des substances spécifiques. Les MOF peuvent également déclencher des réactions chimiques ou conduire l’électricité”, relève le comité.”On pourrait imaginer créer des matériaux capables de séparer le dioxyde de carbone de l’air ou des tuyaux d’échappement industriels, ou pour séparer les molécules toxiques des eaux usées”, a expliqué Hans Ellegren, secrétaire général de l’Académie des sciences qui décerne le Nobel.Yaghi, âgé de 60 ans, travaille à Berkeley en Californie, et Kitagawa, 74 ans, est professeur à l’université de Kyoto. Robson, 88 ans, est professeur à l’université de Melbourne, en Australie.- Diamant aux innombrables cavités -La première avancée remonte à 1989 quand Richard Robson teste une nouvelle façon d’utiliser les propriétés des atomes en utilisant des ions de cuivre. “Lorsqu’ils ont été combinés, ils se sont liés pour former un cristal spacieux et bien ordonné. C’était comme un diamant rempli d’innombrables cavités”, selon le comité.Cette construction était cependant instable.Omar M. Yaghi et Susumu Kitagawa ont ensuite mis au point une “base solide” pour la méthode de construction de ces structures, réalisant chacun de leur côté des “découvertes révolutionnaires”.M. Kitagawa “a montré que les gaz pouvaient entrer et sortir des constructions et a montré que les MOF pouvaient être rendus flexibles”, selon le comité.Entre-temps, Yaghi a créé “un MOF très stable et a montré qu’il pouvait être modifié”.- Famille de réfugiés -A l’annonce du prix, M. Yaghi s’est dit “étonné, ravi, bouleversé”. Le lauréat, né dans une famille de réfugiés palestiniens en Jordanie, a rappelé son origine très humble.”J’ai grandi dans un foyer très modeste. Nous étions une dizaine dans une petite pièce, que nous partagions avec le bétail que nous élevions”, se souvient-il auprès de la fondation Nobel.Ses parents l’ont envoyé étudier à l’âge de 15 ans aux Etats-Unis. Ce “sacré parcours” montre que “la science est la plus grande force” au service de l’égalité des chances, a déclaré M. Yaghi.De son côté, Susumu Kitagawa s’est dit “très honoré et ravi que mes recherches de longue date aient été distinguées”, lors d’un entretien téléphonique peu après l’annonce du prix.”Je ne suis pas très doué moi-même. Je me lance simplement tête baissée dans tout ce qui me semble vraiment intéressant, donc les choses ne se passent pas toujours de façon fluide”, a-t-il raconté lors d’un point presse au Japon.Le comité Nobel a donné des exemples d’applications concrètes obtenues de ces recherches: “Le groupe de recherche de Yaghi a extrait de l’eau de l’air désertique de l’Arizona. Pendant la nuit, leur matériau MOF a capturé la vapeur d’eau de l’air. Lorsque l’aube est arrivée et que le soleil a chauffé le matériau, ils ont pu collecter l’eau”.Les travaux de ces chimistes ont donné naissance à des dizaines de milliers de nouveaux réseaux moléculaires différents par d’autres scientifiques.Ces réseaux pourraient par exemple permettre de séparer les polluant éternels PFAS de l’eau, selon Olof Ramström, professeur en chimie organique et membre de l’Académie royale des sciences.Pour Dorothy J. Phillips, présidente de l’American Chemical Society, l’application la plus intéressante est la capture du dioxyde de carbone. “Nous sommes en plein réchauffement climatique, nous voulons vraiment faire des choses comme suivre et réduire le dioxyde de carbone… c’est une application formidable”, a-t-elle déclaré à l’AFP.Pour les lauréats du millésime 2025, le chèque accompagnant le prix est de 11 millions de couronnes (920.000 euros), à partager entre eux.

World economy not doing as badly as feared, IMF chief says

The global economy is doing better than expected, even as it faces prolonged uncertainty and underwhelming medium-term growth prospects, the head of the IMF said Wednesday. The world economy is doing “better than feared, but worse than we need,” International Monetary Fund Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva told reporters in Washington.She added that the Fund now expects global growth to slow “only slightly this year and next,” propped up by better-than-expected conditions in the United States, and among some other advanced, emerging market and developing countries. Georgieva’s remarks came ahead of next week’s gathering of finance ministers and central bank governors at the World Bank and the IMF in Washington. Trade is once again likely to dominate the agenda at the annual meetings, following US President Donald Trump’s decision earlier this year to unleash sweeping tariffs against many trading partners.- ‘Multiple shocks’ -“All signs point to a world economy that has generally withstood acute strains from multiple shocks,” Georgieva said, pointing to “improved policy fundamentals,” the adaptability of the private sector, lower-than-expected tariffs, and supportive financial conditions. “The world has avoided a tit-for-tat slide into trade war — so far,” she added. She noted that the average US tariff rate has fallen from 23 percent in April to 17.5 percent today, while the US effective tariff rate of around 10 percent remains “far above” the rest of the world.But, she warned, the full effect of those tariffs “is still to unfold,” adding that the resilience of the world economy has yet to be “fully tested.” Against this backdrop, the Fund still expects global growth to remain at roughly three percent over the medium term, in line with previous forecasts — below the 3.7 percent, on average, seen before the Covid-19 pandemic.”Global growth patterns have been changing over the years, notably with China decelerating steadily while India develops into a key growth engine,” Georgieva said. To boost lackluster growth prospects elsewhere, she called on countries to act swiftly to “durably” lift output, rebuild fiscal buffers, and address “excessive” trade imbalances. The Fund’s prescriptions for policymakers differed by region, with Asia urged to deepen its internal trade, and to strengthen the service sector and access to finance. Carried out correctly, this could raise economic output by as much as 1.8 percent in the long run, Georgieva said. African countries should promote “business-friendly reforms” and continue with efforts to build up the Continental Free Trade Area which, she said, could lift their real GDP per capita by “over 10 percent.””Gains from this region can be especially large,” she said. – Tough love for Europe -Georgieva reserved her harshest criticism for Europe, which has struggled with economic growth in recent years, in marked contrast to the United States.To raise competition in the bloc, Georgieva called on the European Union to appoint a new “single market czar” to drive reforms, a move that would simplify the EU’s structure and consolidate the power to make the changes required. These changes include steps to deepen EU single market integration in financial services and energy. “Catch up with the private sector dynamism of the US,” she said, adding that Europe must “recognize that there will be some sacrifices on the way.”For the world’s largest economy, Georgieva urged the Trump administration to address the country’s federal deficit and to take steps to incentivize household savings. And for China, the world’s second-largest economy, Georgieva reiterated the IMF’s ongoing calls for fiscal reforms to boost private consumption and reduce dependence on industrial policy to drive growth. 

World economy not doing as badly as feared, IMF chief says

The global economy is doing better than expected, even as it faces prolonged uncertainty and underwhelming medium-term growth prospects, the head of the IMF said Wednesday. The world economy is doing “better than feared, but worse than we need,” International Monetary Fund Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva told reporters in Washington.She added that the Fund now expects global growth to slow “only slightly this year and next,” propped up by better-than-expected conditions in the United States, and among some other advanced, emerging market and developing countries. Georgieva’s remarks came ahead of next week’s gathering of finance ministers and central bank governors at the World Bank and the IMF in Washington. Trade is once again likely to dominate the agenda at the annual meetings, following US President Donald Trump’s decision earlier this year to unleash sweeping tariffs against many trading partners.- ‘Multiple shocks’ -“All signs point to a world economy that has generally withstood acute strains from multiple shocks,” Georgieva said, pointing to “improved policy fundamentals,” the adaptability of the private sector, lower-than-expected tariffs, and supportive financial conditions. “The world has avoided a tit-for-tat slide into trade war — so far,” she added. She noted that the average US tariff rate has fallen from 23 percent in April to 17.5 percent today, while the US effective tariff rate of around 10 percent remains “far above” the rest of the world.But, she warned, the full effect of those tariffs “is still to unfold,” adding that the resilience of the world economy has yet to be “fully tested.” Against this backdrop, the Fund still expects global growth to remain at roughly three percent over the medium term, in line with previous forecasts — below the 3.7 percent, on average, seen before the Covid-19 pandemic.”Global growth patterns have been changing over the years, notably with China decelerating steadily while India develops into a key growth engine,” Georgieva said. To boost lackluster growth prospects elsewhere, she called on countries to act swiftly to “durably” lift output, rebuild fiscal buffers, and address “excessive” trade imbalances. The Fund’s prescriptions for policymakers differed by region, with Asia urged to deepen its internal trade, and to strengthen the service sector and access to finance. Carried out correctly, this could raise economic output by as much as 1.8 percent in the long run, Georgieva said. African countries should promote “business-friendly reforms” and continue with efforts to build up the Continental Free Trade Area which, she said, could lift their real GDP per capita by “over 10 percent.””Gains from this region can be especially large,” she said. – Tough love for Europe -Georgieva reserved her harshest criticism for Europe, which has struggled with economic growth in recent years, in marked contrast to the United States.To raise competition in the bloc, Georgieva called on the European Union to appoint a new “single market czar” to drive reforms, a move that would simplify the EU’s structure and consolidate the power to make the changes required. These changes include steps to deepen EU single market integration in financial services and energy. “Catch up with the private sector dynamism of the US,” she said, adding that Europe must “recognize that there will be some sacrifices on the way.”For the world’s largest economy, Georgieva urged the Trump administration to address the country’s federal deficit and to take steps to incentivize household savings. And for China, the world’s second-largest economy, Georgieva reiterated the IMF’s ongoing calls for fiscal reforms to boost private consumption and reduce dependence on industrial policy to drive growth. 

World economy not doing as badly as feared, IMF chief saysWed, 08 Oct 2025 15:46:36 GMT

The global economy is doing better than expected, even as it faces prolonged uncertainty and underwhelming medium-term growth prospects, the head of the IMF said Wednesday. The world economy is doing “better than feared, but worse than we need,” International Monetary Fund Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva told reporters in Washington.She added that the Fund now expects …

World economy not doing as badly as feared, IMF chief saysWed, 08 Oct 2025 15:46:36 GMT Read More »

World economy not doing as badly as feared, IMF chief says

The global economy is doing better than expected, even as it faces prolonged uncertainty and underwhelming medium-term growth prospects, the head of the IMF said Wednesday. The world economy is doing “better than feared, but worse than we need,” International Monetary Fund Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva told reporters in Washington.She added that the Fund now expects global growth to slow “only slightly this year and next,” propped up by better-than-expected conditions in the United States, and among some other advanced, emerging market and developing countries. Georgieva’s remarks came ahead of next week’s gathering of finance ministers and central bank governors at the World Bank and the IMF in Washington. Trade is once again likely to dominate the agenda at the annual meetings, following US President Donald Trump’s decision earlier this year to unleash sweeping tariffs against many trading partners.- ‘Multiple shocks’ -“All signs point to a world economy that has generally withstood acute strains from multiple shocks,” Georgieva said, pointing to “improved policy fundamentals,” the adaptability of the private sector, lower-than-expected tariffs, and supportive financial conditions. “The world has avoided a tit-for-tat slide into trade war — so far,” she added. She noted that the average US tariff rate has fallen from 23 percent in April to 17.5 percent today, while the US effective tariff rate of around 10 percent remains “far above” the rest of the world.But, she warned, the full effect of those tariffs “is still to unfold,” adding that the resilience of the world economy has yet to be “fully tested.” Against this backdrop, the Fund still expects global growth to remain at roughly three percent over the medium term, in line with previous forecasts — below the 3.7 percent, on average, seen before the Covid-19 pandemic.”Global growth patterns have been changing over the years, notably with China decelerating steadily while India develops into a key growth engine,” Georgieva said. To boost lackluster growth prospects elsewhere, she called on countries to act swiftly to “durably” lift output, rebuild fiscal buffers, and address “excessive” trade imbalances. The Fund’s prescriptions for policymakers differed by region, with Asia urged to deepen its internal trade, and to strengthen the service sector and access to finance. Carried out correctly, this could raise economic output by as much as 1.8 percent in the long run, Georgieva said. African countries should promote “business-friendly reforms” and continue with efforts to build up the Continental Free Trade Area which, she said, could lift their real GDP per capita by “over 10 percent.””Gains from this region can be especially large,” she said. – Tough love for Europe -Georgieva reserved her harshest criticism for Europe, which has struggled with economic growth in recent years, in marked contrast to the United States.To raise competition in the bloc, Georgieva called on the European Union to appoint a new “single market czar” to drive reforms, a move that would simplify the EU’s structure and consolidate the power to make the changes required. These changes include steps to deepen EU single market integration in financial services and energy. “Catch up with the private sector dynamism of the US,” she said, adding that Europe must “recognize that there will be some sacrifices on the way.”For the world’s largest economy, Georgieva urged the Trump administration to address the country’s federal deficit and to take steps to incentivize household savings. And for China, the world’s second-largest economy, Georgieva reiterated the IMF’s ongoing calls for fiscal reforms to boost private consumption and reduce dependence on industrial policy to drive growth. 

World economy not doing as badly as feared, IMF chief says

The global economy is doing better than expected, even as it faces prolonged uncertainty and underwhelming medium-term growth prospects, the head of the IMF said Wednesday. The world economy is doing “better than feared, but worse than we need,” International Monetary Fund Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva told reporters in Washington.She added that the Fund now expects global growth to slow “only slightly this year and next,” propped up by better-than-expected conditions in the United States, and among some other advanced, emerging market and developing countries. Georgieva’s remarks came ahead of next week’s gathering of finance ministers and central bank governors at the World Bank and the IMF in Washington. Trade is once again likely to dominate the agenda at the annual meetings, following US President Donald Trump’s decision earlier this year to unleash sweeping tariffs against many trading partners.- ‘Multiple shocks’ -“All signs point to a world economy that has generally withstood acute strains from multiple shocks,” Georgieva said, pointing to “improved policy fundamentals,” the adaptability of the private sector, lower-than-expected tariffs, and supportive financial conditions. “The world has avoided a tit-for-tat slide into trade war — so far,” she added. She noted that the average US tariff rate has fallen from 23 percent in April to 17.5 percent today, while the US effective tariff rate of around 10 percent remains “far above” the rest of the world.But, she warned, the full effect of those tariffs “is still to unfold,” adding that the resilience of the world economy has yet to be “fully tested.” Against this backdrop, the Fund still expects global growth to remain at roughly three percent over the medium term, in line with previous forecasts — below the 3.7 percent, on average, seen before the Covid-19 pandemic.”Global growth patterns have been changing over the years, notably with China decelerating steadily while India develops into a key growth engine,” Georgieva said. To boost lackluster growth prospects elsewhere, she called on countries to act swiftly to “durably” lift output, rebuild fiscal buffers, and address “excessive” trade imbalances. The Fund’s prescriptions for policymakers differed by region, with Asia urged to deepen its internal trade, and to strengthen the service sector and access to finance. Carried out correctly, this could raise economic output by as much as 1.8 percent in the long run, Georgieva said. African countries should promote “business-friendly reforms” and continue with efforts to build up the Continental Free Trade Area which, she said, could lift their real GDP per capita by “over 10 percent.””Gains from this region can be especially large,” she said. – Tough love for Europe -Georgieva reserved her harshest criticism for Europe, which has struggled with economic growth in recent years, in marked contrast to the United States.To raise competition in the bloc, Georgieva called on the European Union to appoint a new “single market czar” to drive reforms, a move that would simplify the EU’s structure and consolidate the power to make the changes required. These changes include steps to deepen EU single market integration in financial services and energy. “Catch up with the private sector dynamism of the US,” she said, adding that Europe must “recognize that there will be some sacrifices on the way.”For the world’s largest economy, Georgieva urged the Trump administration to address the country’s federal deficit and to take steps to incentivize household savings. And for China, the world’s second-largest economy, Georgieva reiterated the IMF’s ongoing calls for fiscal reforms to boost private consumption and reduce dependence on industrial policy to drive growth. 

“Assumez votre acte”, lance Gisèle Pelicot à l’accusé dans le déni

“A quel moment je vous ai donné le consentement ? Jamais !”, a lancé Gisèle Pelicot à Husamettin Dogan. Avant d’ajouter, face à un accusé qui s’enfonce dans le déni malgré des preuves vidéos accablantes: “Assumez votre acte, j’ai honte pour vous !”.Depuis un an et le verdict d’Avignon où 51 hommes dont son ex-mari avaient été condamnés, celle qui est devenue un symbole des violences sexuelles faites aux femmes n’avait plus pris la parole.Depuis lundi, ses entrées et sorties de la cour d’assises d’appel du Gard sont couvertes d’applaudissements, hommage populaire à une femme qui a redit mercredi: “Que les victimes n’aient jamais honte de ce qu’on leur a imposé par la force”.Chemisier blanc, gilet noir et blanc, Gisèle Pelicot, bien droite, la parole posée et affirmée, commence: “J’ai le sentiment d’être allée au bout de cette épreuve qui a duré cinq ans, je souhaite ne jamais retourner dans un tribunal de ma vie. Moi, le mal est fait, il va falloir que je me reconstruise sur cette ruine. Je suis en bonne voie”.”Bien évidemment, Monsieur Pelicot est responsable de ma souffrance, mais Monsieur Dogan et les 50 autres aussi”, a ajouté cette femme de 72 ans aujourd’hui. “La seule victime, c’est moi ! En aucun cas vous n’êtes victime de monsieur Pelicot, assumez votre acte, j’ai honte pour vous !”- Icône “malgré” elle -Elle a aussi évoqué le “tsunami” familial qu’a déclenché l’affaire et dit “comprendre la souffrance” de sa fille Caroline Darian. Cette dernière a porté plainte contre son père qu’elle accuse de l’avoir agressée sexuellement et a publiquement reproché à sa mère de ne pas la soutenir, remettant en cause son statut “d’icône” des luttes féministes.A ce sujet, “arrêtez de dire que je suis une icône. C’est malgré moi. Je suis une femme ordinaire qui a levé le huis clos”, a lancé Gisèle Pelicot.Depuis lundi Husamettin Dogan, le seul à avoir fait appel de sa condamnation en première instance à neuf ans de prison, continue de nier toute intention de la violer.Même après la diffusion mercredi matin d’une douzaine de courtes vidéos tournées par Dominique Pelicot ce fameux 28 juin 2019 où l’accusé s’est rendu à leur domicile de Mazan.On y voit l’accusé réaliser plusieurs actes sexuels sur une Gisèle Pelicot en sous-vêtements, portant des sandales et parfois un bandeau sur les yeux, totalement inerte et ronflant parfois fortement. Husamettin Dogan et Dominique Pelicot chuchotent pour éviter de la réveiller. A aucun moment, la victime ne manifeste la moindre activité.Interrogé par la cour, l’accusé, un ex-ouvrier de 44 ans, a fermement maintenu: “J’ai fait un acte sexuel, j’ai jamais violé personne”, “c’est lui le manipulateur, c’est pas moi. C’est lui qui m’a attiré là-bas”. Disant avoir été “sous l’emprise” de Dominique Pelicot, il explique être resté car il se sentait menacé.Ses avocats ont ensuite tenté d’appuyer sur le point central de leur défense, l’intentionnalité: “Vous aviez conscience de commettre un viol ?”. “S’il avait dit: +Viens, je vais te filmer, on va la violer+, je serais jamais allé là-bas.”- Peine alourdie ? -Mais pour Gisèle Pelicot: “Toute sa vie, il sera violeur” et il n’a ni fait demi-tour ni dénoncé la situation.”Ce procès doit être un procès ordinaire. C’est celui d’Husamettin Dogan”, a ensuite plaidé Stéphane Babonneau, l’un de ses avocats, assurant qu’il “n’a jamais été question pour Gisèle Pelicot de réclamer vengeance, la tête d’un homme”. Mais “juste qu’on reconnaisse ce dont elle a été victime. Qu’on ne remette plus en cause son vécu” comme cela est trop souvent le cas pour les victimes de viol.Puis son autre avocat, Antoine Camus, s’est adressé aux neuf jurés populaires et aux trois magistrats: “La peine est à revoir”, sous-entendant qu’il fallait, selon lui, alourdir celle prononcée à Avignon. Car, “une victime endormie, on n’y touche pas”.Jeudi matin, le procès se terminera avec le réquisitoire puis les plaidoiries de la défense et enfin le verdict. En première instance, 12 ans de prison avaient été requis contre l’accusé qui, poursuivi pour “viols aggravés”, risque un maximum de 20 ans de réclusion.

“Assumez votre acte”, lance Gisèle Pelicot à l’accusé dans le déni

“A quel moment je vous ai donné le consentement ? Jamais !”, a lancé Gisèle Pelicot à Husamettin Dogan. Avant d’ajouter, face à un accusé qui s’enfonce dans le déni malgré des preuves vidéos accablantes: “Assumez votre acte, j’ai honte pour vous !”.Depuis un an et le verdict d’Avignon où 51 hommes dont son ex-mari avaient été condamnés, celle qui est devenue un symbole des violences sexuelles faites aux femmes n’avait plus pris la parole.Depuis lundi, ses entrées et sorties de la cour d’assises d’appel du Gard sont couvertes d’applaudissements, hommage populaire à une femme qui a redit mercredi: “Que les victimes n’aient jamais honte de ce qu’on leur a imposé par la force”.Chemisier blanc, gilet noir et blanc, Gisèle Pelicot, bien droite, la parole posée et affirmée, commence: “J’ai le sentiment d’être allée au bout de cette épreuve qui a duré cinq ans, je souhaite ne jamais retourner dans un tribunal de ma vie. Moi, le mal est fait, il va falloir que je me reconstruise sur cette ruine. Je suis en bonne voie”.”Bien évidemment, Monsieur Pelicot est responsable de ma souffrance, mais Monsieur Dogan et les 50 autres aussi”, a ajouté cette femme de 72 ans aujourd’hui. “La seule victime, c’est moi ! En aucun cas vous n’êtes victime de monsieur Pelicot, assumez votre acte, j’ai honte pour vous !”- Icône “malgré” elle -Elle a aussi évoqué le “tsunami” familial qu’a déclenché l’affaire et dit “comprendre la souffrance” de sa fille Caroline Darian. Cette dernière a porté plainte contre son père qu’elle accuse de l’avoir agressée sexuellement et a publiquement reproché à sa mère de ne pas la soutenir, remettant en cause son statut “d’icône” des luttes féministes.A ce sujet, “arrêtez de dire que je suis une icône. C’est malgré moi. Je suis une femme ordinaire qui a levé le huis clos”, a lancé Gisèle Pelicot.Depuis lundi Husamettin Dogan, le seul à avoir fait appel de sa condamnation en première instance à neuf ans de prison, continue de nier toute intention de la violer.Même après la diffusion mercredi matin d’une douzaine de courtes vidéos tournées par Dominique Pelicot ce fameux 28 juin 2019 où l’accusé s’est rendu à leur domicile de Mazan.On y voit l’accusé réaliser plusieurs actes sexuels sur une Gisèle Pelicot en sous-vêtements, portant des sandales et parfois un bandeau sur les yeux, totalement inerte et ronflant parfois fortement. Husamettin Dogan et Dominique Pelicot chuchotent pour éviter de la réveiller. A aucun moment, la victime ne manifeste la moindre activité.Interrogé par la cour, l’accusé, un ex-ouvrier de 44 ans, a fermement maintenu: “J’ai fait un acte sexuel, j’ai jamais violé personne”, “c’est lui le manipulateur, c’est pas moi. C’est lui qui m’a attiré là-bas”. Disant avoir été “sous l’emprise” de Dominique Pelicot, il explique être resté car il se sentait menacé.Ses avocats ont ensuite tenté d’appuyer sur le point central de leur défense, l’intentionnalité: “Vous aviez conscience de commettre un viol ?”. “S’il avait dit: +Viens, je vais te filmer, on va la violer+, je serais jamais allé là-bas.”- Peine alourdie ? -Mais pour Gisèle Pelicot: “Toute sa vie, il sera violeur” et il n’a ni fait demi-tour ni dénoncé la situation.”Ce procès doit être un procès ordinaire. C’est celui d’Husamettin Dogan”, a ensuite plaidé Stéphane Babonneau, l’un de ses avocats, assurant qu’il “n’a jamais été question pour Gisèle Pelicot de réclamer vengeance, la tête d’un homme”. Mais “juste qu’on reconnaisse ce dont elle a été victime. Qu’on ne remette plus en cause son vécu” comme cela est trop souvent le cas pour les victimes de viol.Puis son autre avocat, Antoine Camus, s’est adressé aux neuf jurés populaires et aux trois magistrats: “La peine est à revoir”, sous-entendant qu’il fallait, selon lui, alourdir celle prononcée à Avignon. Car, “une victime endormie, on n’y touche pas”.Jeudi matin, le procès se terminera avec le réquisitoire puis les plaidoiries de la défense et enfin le verdict. En première instance, 12 ans de prison avaient été requis contre l’accusé qui, poursuivi pour “viols aggravés”, risque un maximum de 20 ans de réclusion.

Iran releases Franco-German accused of spying

Iran has released a 19-year-old Franco-German national days after throwing out spying charges against him, France’s foreign minister told AFP on Wednesday. Lennart Monterlos is the latest French national to be released from Iranian detention this year, even as others remain in custody.”Lennart Monterlos is free,” said Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot, with sources close to the case saying the young man would travel to France on Thursday. Monterlos was arrested on June 16 in the southern city of Bandar Abbas, on the third day of the brief war between Iran and Israel.The sports and travel enthusiast had been cycling alone across Iran on a Europe-to-Asia bike trip. Iran’s judiciary announced the espionage accusations against Monterlos would be dropped on Monday. He had been released from prison over the weekend and was hosted by the French embassy in Tehran while awaiting the paperwork to allow him to leave the Islamic republic, several sources close to the case told AFP.Monterlos, who has a German mother and a French father and grew up in eastern France, was arrested as he was headed toward the border with Afghanistan, his Iranian visa near expiration.”We are relieved that our son will return to us,” his parents said in a written statement to AFP through their lawyer, Chirinne Ardakani. – ‘Not forgotten’ -France, which has several other nationals imprisoned in the Islamic republic, had condemned Monterlos’s detention as arbitrary. French couple Cecile Kohler and Jacques Paris, accused of spying for Israel, have been in detention in Iran for nearly three and a half years and face the death penalty. “I have not forgotten Cecile Kohler and Jacques Paris, whose immediate release we demand,” Barrot said.Along with other European countries, France suspects Iran of taking Western citizens hostage to trade their freedom for concessions, notably on its nuclear plans and the lifting of economic sanctions.Iran is believed to hold about 20 Europeans in detention. Kohler and Paris, who were on the last day of a tourist trip in May 2022, are slated to be part of a potential prisoner swap for an Iranian woman held in France. Mahdieh Esfandiari was arrested in France in February on charges of promoting terrorism on social media, according to French authorities. Iran has repeatedly called her detention arbitrary but maintains that the French couple were spying on behalf of Israel. But there have been positive signals from France and Iran for a swap, with Iranian top diplomat Abbas Araghchi saying last month a deal was nearing its final stages. Barrot said in a media interview on Monday there were “strong prospects of being able to bring them back in the coming weeks”. In March, Frenchman Olivier Grondeau, who had been detained in Iran since October 2022, was released. Before landing in an Iranian jail, Monterlos was aiming to reach Japan by bike, having set off last year after finishing high school on a 400-day cycling journey across 35 countries. He had documented his trip on social media, his last post the day before his arrest. “Am I reckless or brave? You decide in the comments,” he wrote on Instagram shortly after he started his trip.