Daniel Puchol

The story of Timothé Fournier, who allegedly died saving his pregnant wife during the Nice attack, was circulated worldwide but turned out to be false. The tale originated from a woman named Anaïs, who claimed to be Fournier's cousin and provided details to AFP. Doubts arose when journalists could not verify Fournier's existence, and his name was not on the list of the deceased. AFP later admitted to being deceived by a fabricated testimony, and the woman who provided the story has since become unresponsive and closed her Twitter account.

Two armed individuals took hostages in a church in Saint-Etienne-du-Rouvray, Normandy, resulting in the death of priest Jacques Hamel and leaving another hostage in critical condition. French President François Hollande stated that the attackers claimed to be part of the Islamic State, which has declared war on France. Hollande has contacted Pope Francis to express condolences and promised to protect places of worship. The French government is determined to use all anti-terrorism measures with extreme firmness, while avoiding restrictions on freedoms that could undermine national cohesion. Political figures across the spectrum have expressed their horror and called for unity, while the Catholic Church in France has urged caution to avoid falling into a state of psychosis.

Local authorities in Nice have rejected a request from anti-terrorist police forces to destroy surveillance camera footage from the Promenade des Anglais during the attack that took place last week. Paris Prosecutor François Molins stated the request aimed to prevent the uncontrolled spread of the images. The dispute highlights tensions between local and national authorities regarding responsibility for security lapses during the attack. Nice Mayor Christian Estrosi criticized the government for lying about security measures in place on the night of July 14th. Meanwhile, the local authorities have legally requested the seizure of the footage to prevent its destruction.

Jean Dujardin, the French actor known for his Oscar-winning role in 'The Artist', discusses his latest film 'Un hombre de altura' and his views on the film industry, fame, and life. He emphasizes the importance of living a 'real life' outside of cinema and reflects on the superficiality of Hollywood. Dujardin also shares his thoughts on the Spanish cinema, philanthropy, and his future projects, including a film with Laurent Tirard. He maintains a down-to-earth perspective despite his success, valuing authenticity and personal freedom over the trappings of stardom.

The daughter of the late billionaire Robert de Balkany will auction art and furniture from her father's Paris residence through Sotheby's, a year after his death on September 19. The auction, which includes works by Tintoretto, Molinari, and Van Dyck, as well as valuable clocks and furniture, is expected to be significant, with Sotheby's partnering with Leclère for the event. The collection reflects Balkany's taste for luxury and precious materials, with up to 800 lots to be auctioned.