Henri Astier

London

Journalist at Freelance

Paris-born, London-based journalist. Main outlets: BBC, Times Literary Supplement, The Critic, Persuasion.

Articles

Tunisia opposition leaders jailed on conspiracy and terror charges

6 days ago | bbc.com | Henri Astier

Tunisian opposition leaders jailed on terror chargesReutersAhmed Nejib Chebbi is head of the opposition National Salvation FrontA court in Tunisia has sentenced a group of senior politicians, businessmen and lawyers to long prison sentences on conspiracy and terrorism charges. The defendants received sentences of up to 66 years. They include leaders of National Salvation Front, the main opposition coalition, who were arrested in 2023.
Bastiat wake up, they've gone crazy

1 week ago | henriastier.substack.com | Henri Astier

Economists argue about pretty much everything, but they agree that tariffs are self-defeating. It is a truism that when you raise the price of something, you impose a cost on buyers. "Liberation day" is not just a huge blow to the US economy: it is above all an assault on common sense. Trump's contention that foreigners are footing the bill flies in the face of the most testable of facts: tariffs are paid by domestic customers and firms.
The people v judges

3 weeks ago | henriastier.substack.com | Henri Astier

The French have a reputation for overreacting, but after a court barred Marine Le Pen from running for president, the hyperbole doesn't seem out of place. "Un scénario catastrophe," said the state-run France Info channel. "Un cataclysme politique et historique," screamed BFMTV (sounds even scarier in the original, doesn't it?)Politicians were as horrified as journalists when judges hit Le Pen with a ban on holding public office following her conviction for embezzlement.
Johnny Hallyday car lost at poker game sells at auction

1 month ago | bbc.com | Henri Astier

Car lost by Johnny Hallyday at poker sold for €132,000OsenatHallyday's 1975 Panther De Ville was a bespoke, limited-edition modelA classic car owned by the late French rock star Johnny Hallyday before he lost it at poker has sold for €132,000 ($143,000; £110,000) at auction. The Panther De Ville was given to him in 1975 by his then-wife, fellow singer Sylvie Vartan. Its custom-made fittings include mink seats, a gold disc on top of the grille and hubcaps carrying his initials.
Putin's French appeasers

1 month ago | henriastier.substack.com | Henri Astier

After the US switched from helping to squeezing Ukraine, France took a leading role in European efforts to help a country under attack. Emmanuel Macron went to Washington for a frank exchange with Donald Trump. The French president saw that Europe was alone more clearly than other allied leaders who hoped against hope for continued transatlantic solidarity. He has since hosted two European summits to pave the way for a common defence and suggested extending the country's nuclear shield.
Russian strikes kill at least 25, Ukraine says

1 month ago | msn.com | Henri Astier

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Russian strikes kill at least 25, Ukraine says

1 month ago | yahoo.com | Henri Astier

At least 25 people have died in Ukraine in the latest wave of Russian strikes, Ukrainian officials say, as the conflict shows no sign of easing. One attack on Donetsk Region killed least 11 people and wounded 40, including six children, local officials said on Saturday. Homes and infrastructure were hit in other regions, including Kharkiv and Odesa. Russian attacks have intensified in recent days, as the US paused military aid and intelligence-sharing with Kyiv.
Europe's back against the wall

1 month ago | henriastier.substack.com | Henri Astier

EU leaders are meeting in Brussels to discuss defence matters in the wake of the US rapprochement with Russia. Last night Emmanuel Macron of France said the continent’s future could “not be decided in Washington and Moscow”. No doubt the European Council will couch its support for Ukraine in diplomatic terms designed to keep Trump's America on side. Below is what Claude Malhuret, a French centre-right senator, had to say about it earlier in the week.
Trump condemns Zelensky remarks that war end is 'far away'

1 month ago | ca.news.yahoo.com | Henri Astier

Trump condemns Zelensky remarks that war end is 'far away'Trump says he trusts Putin and has accused Zelensky of being a dictator [Reuters]A statement by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky saying a deal to end the war with Russia was "very far away" has drawn a furious response by Donald Trump. "America will not put up with it for much longer," the US president said in a social media post, before accusing Zelensky of not wanting peace.
Trump condemns Zelensky remarks that war end is 'far away'

1 month ago | bbc.com | Henri Astier

Trump condemns Zelensky remarks that war end is 'far away'ReutersA statement by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky saying a deal to end the war with Russia was "very far away" has drawn a furious response by Donald Trump. "America will not put up with it for much longer," the US president said in a social media post, before accusing Zelensky of not wanting peace.