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Ten people found guilty of cyber-bullying Brigitte Macron,

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Ten people found guilty of cyber-bullying Brigitte Macron,

A Paris court has found ten people guilty of cyber-bullying Brigitte Macron, the wife of French President Emmanuel Macron, in a ruling that is being widely viewed as a significant affirmation of legal protections against online abuse.

The defendants were convicted of spreading false claims about Brigitte Macron’s gender and sexuality, alongside what the court described as “malicious remarks” targeting the 24-year age difference between her and the president. The judge said the eight men and two women involved had acted with a clear intention to cause harm, publishing remarks online that were degrading, insulting and deliberately hurtful.

Most of those found guilty received suspended prison sentences of up to eight months, reflecting the court’s emphasis on deterrence and accountability rather than incarceration. One defendant was immediately jailed after failing to appear in court, while several others were ordered to have their social media accounts suspended. The court also mandated prevention and awareness courses, underlining a broader effort to curb similar behaviour in the future.

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Speaking after the verdict, Brigitte Macron’s lawyer, Jean Ennochi, welcomed the outcome, stressing that the preventative measures were especially important. “The most important things are the prevention courses and the suspension of some of the accounts.

The case also revisited the activities of two prominent figures previously linked to the conspiracy theories. Self-styled independent journalist Natacha Rey and internet fortune-teller Amandine Roy had been found guilty of slander in 2024 for claiming that France’s first lady had never existed, alleging instead that her brother, Jean-Michel Trogneux, had changed gender and taken her identity. Although they were later cleared on appeal — with judges ruling that claiming someone had changed gender did not necessarily constitute an attack on their honour — the Macrons have since decided to take that case to France’s highest court of appeal.

The personal toll of the cyber-bullying was detailed during the trial by Tiphaine Auzière, Brigitte Macron’s daughter from a previous marriage. She told the court that the sustained online attacks had negatively affected her mother’s health and daily life. Auzière explained that Brigitte Macron had become extremely cautious about her clothing, posture and public appearance, knowing that images of her were often repurposed online to support conspiracy narratives.

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While her mother had, over time, “learned to live with it”, Auzière said the impact on the family extended to her own children, who were subjected to taunts at school because of the rumours. Her testimony added emotional weight to the proceedings and reinforced the court’s view of the real-world consequences of online harassment.

Monday’s ruling is also being seen as a precursor to a much larger legal battle abroad. The Macrons have filed a defamation lawsuit in the United States against right-wing influencer Candace Owens, accusing her of amplifying and sustaining the same conspiracy theories about the first lady’s gender. In their filing, the presidential couple allege that Owens “disregarded all credible evidence disproving her claim in favour of platforming known conspiracy theorists and proven defamers”.

Owens has repeatedly voiced the claims on her podcast and social media platforms and, in March 2024, said she would stake her “entire professional reputation” on her assertion that Brigitte Macron “is in fact a man”. The upcoming US case is expected to test the limits of free speech and defamation law in a highly charged political and cultural environment.

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Initially, advisers had urged the Macrons to ignore the rumours, warning that legal action could unintentionally amplify them. However, last year marked a decisive change in strategy. The presidential couple concluded that the scale, persistence and coordination of the online attacks had grown too large to overlook. Despite the personal risks of exposing private details in a US courtroom, they chose to confront the conspiracy theories directly.

False claims that Brigitte Macron is a transgender woman have circulated online since Emmanuel Macron was first elected president in 2017. The couple’s relationship has long attracted public attention, particularly because they first met when she was a teacher at his secondary school. They married in 2007, when Emmanuel Macron was 29 and Brigitte Macron was in her mid-50s.

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Donald Trump has announced that the Israel-Lebanon ceasefire has been extended by three weeks.

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Donald Trump has announced that the Israel-Lebanon ceasefire has been extended by three weeks.

Donald Trump has announced a three-week extension of the ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon, pointing to renewed diplomatic engagement aimed at stabilizing the region.

In a post on Truth Social, Trump said the decision followed a high-level meeting in the Oval Office involving officials from both countries. He described the discussions as highly productive, noting that they included JD Vance and Marco Rubio.

According to Trump, the United States will deepen its cooperation with Lebanon to strengthen its internal security framework, particularly in relation to Hezbollah. He framed the talks as part of a broader effort to support Lebanon’s sovereignty and reduce the influence of armed non-state actors.

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Calling the meeting “historic,” Trump said he is preparing to host Benjamin Netanyahu and Joseph Aoun at the White House in the coming weeks. The anticipated visits are expected to focus on negotiating a more durable peace arrangement between the two neighboring countries.

Speaking again to reporters in the Oval Office, alongside senior U.S. officials and diplomatic representatives from both nations, Trump emphasized the complexity of the situation, particularly Lebanon’s need to manage internal dynamics involving Hezbollah. He indicated that Washington’s approach would combine diplomatic engagement with security cooperation.

Trump also suggested that progress on the Israel–Lebanon track could align with broader U.S. strategic efforts in the region, including ongoing initiatives related to Iran. He expressed optimism that simultaneous diplomatic advances could contribute to wider regional stability.

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Five Critically Injured After Head-On Train Collision in Denmark

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Five Critically Injured After Head-On Train Collision in Denmark

At least five people have been critically injured and 13 others hurt following a head-on train collision in Denmark, authorities have confirmed.

The crash occurred early Thursday on a railway line connecting the towns of Hillerød and Kagerup, northwest of Copenhagen. Police said a total of 37 people were on board the two trains at the time of the accident.

Emergency services responded immediately after the collision, which happened at approximately 06:29 local time. All injured passengers were transported to hospital by ambulance or airlift, according to Tim Ole Simonsen of the Greater Copenhagen fire department.

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Local officials described the incident as deeply distressing. Trine Egetved, mayor of the Gribskov municipality, said she was “deeply shaken” and confirmed that those critically injured had been taken to the national hospital in Copenhagen.

Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen expressed concern over what she called a “terrible train accident,” as authorities began investigating the cause.

The Danish Accident Investigation Board has launched an inquiry alongside police, examining all possible causes. Investigators say it is too early to determine what led to the crash but are considering multiple scenarios, including a potential signalling system failure or human error.

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The trains, operated by Lokaltog, were shown in footage with significant front-end damage, having collided in a wooded area.

Rail operator officials described the incident as one of the most severe imaginable in the industry and said efforts are now focused on gathering data to understand how the collision occurred.

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Hundreds of Wildfires Rage Across Florida and Georgia, Forcing Evacuations

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Hundreds of Wildfires Rage Across Florida and Georgia, Forcing Evacuations

Authorities in the southeastern United States are battling a surge of wildfires across Georgia and Florida, as dry conditions and strong winds fuel rapid fire spread, destroying homes and forcing residents to evacuate.

Fire crews in Georgia responded to 34 new blazes on Wednesday alone, burning at least 75 acres statewide, according to the Georgia Forestry Commission. The largest of the fires, known as the Pineland Road Fire, has expanded dramatically to nearly 30,000 acres and remains only 10% contained.

In Florida, officials say the state is facing one of its most severe wildfire seasons in decades, with more than 130 active fires currently burning. Emergency services are working around the clock to contain outbreaks as conditions continue to worsen.

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Authorities in both states point to a combination of prolonged dry weather, strong winds, and limited rainfall as key factors complicating firefighting efforts. These conditions have allowed fires to spread quickly and unpredictably, increasing the risk to communities.

Evacuation orders have been issued in several affected areas, while firefighters continue to prioritise protecting lives and property. Officials warn that without significant rainfall, the wildfire threat could persist in the coming days.

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