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Le Pen and her co-defendants were accused of illicitly siphoning European Parliament funds to pay for party employees who seldom (or never) dealt with affairs in Brussels or Strasbourg. The court estimated that the accused had embezzled more than €4 million, €474,000 of which Le Pen was held personally responsible for as an MEP.  “In general, our observations of European capitals indicate that they are absolutely not averse to going beyond the bounds of democracy during the political process,” Peskov needled. Le Pen has ties to Russia through a controversial bank loan, which the National Rally took out in 2014 and…

Marine Le Pen and 24 National Rally members were found guilty of embezzling EU funds to pay party staff, risking Le Pen’s future in politics. Marine Le Pen, leader of the far-right National Rally, was found guilty of misappropriation of public funds and barred from running for office for five years “with immediate effect,” a Paris court decided on Monday in a crucial moment that will determine Le Pen’s political future. Le Pen was also sentenced to four years in prison, two of which were commuted to wearing an electronic monitoring device, and a €100,000 fine.The sentence for Le Pen…

Read our full guide to the UK’s new Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA): who needs it, how long it’s valid and how to apply. The UK’s Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) system has officially expanded to European travellers.Starting 2 April 2025, all European visitors will need ETA approval – or, for some non-EU nationals, a visa – to enter the UK.The system became mandatory for travellers from the US, Canada and Australia on 8 January 2025, following its rollout last November for nationals of Bahrain, Jordan, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the UAE.Read on for details on cost, validity and how…

With a particular emphasis on artists from the wider Nordic region, Latin America and Asia, and with aims to incorporate Indigenous perspectives, Helsinki Biennial 2025 has revealed its participating artists. Helsinki Biennial 2025 has revealed its artist roster, featuring 37 international artists and collectives set to exhibit in diverse locations across the city. Curated by Blanca de la Torre and Kati Kivinen, this third edition of the Helsinki Biennial,  titled ‘Shelter: Below and Beyond, Becoming and Belonging’, will also, however, centre on non-human protagonists.Among the list of participants are big names such as Olafur Eliasson, known for his innovative explorations of…

While nearly three-quarters (73 percent) said they believed racism was a “significant issue,” they were divided on whether immigration had changed communities for the better, as 51 percent agreed with the statement against 32 percent who disagreed.  “Young people are undoubtedly worried about the future of the U.K. and they are concerned about the state of democracy,” said Elisabeth Loose, research and external engagement officer at the John Smith Centre, who led the survey. She added: “As to what young people want from politics, the answer is a more open, honest political culture which provides answers to their basic needs.”…

The self-described misogynist also faces legal cases in Romania and the UK for alleged rape and human trafficking. The controversial social media influencer Andrew Tate is facing a new lawsuit after his ex-girlfriend accused him of sexual assault and battery. In a complaint filed in Los Angeles on Thursday, the model Brianna Stern said the 38-year old former professional kickboxer had emotionally and physically abused her. The lawsuit alleges that Tate beat and choked her earlier this month during sex at the Beverly Hills Hotel, leaving her with post-concussion syndrome. “While doing so, Tate told her repeatedly that if she…

The Oscar-winning actress is more interested in hearing stories of female spies, claiming she ‘never liked’ the famous fictional agent. Celebrated British actress Helen Mirren has said that James Bond should never be played by a woman, as the spy franchise is “born out of profound sexism”. Mirren also admitted that she “never liked” the 007 series because of the way women were presented in it.  “The whole series of James Bond, it was not my thing. It really wasn’t. I never liked James Bond. I never liked the way women were in James Bond,” Mirren told The Standard in a new interview.…

Cette politique du Département d’Etat n’est en aucun cas spécifique à la France, nous a confirmé un diplomate américain. En tout, “15 600 contrats, prêts et aides à l’étranger” ont été passés en revue par l’administration Trump. Cela expliquerait pourquoi, en France, la Fnac, par exemple, en a été destinataire, et non Saint-Gobain, Air Liquide ou encore Capgemini, pourtant très présents sur le marché américain. La plupart des patrons digèrent en attendant la suite Du côté du patronat, le Medef n’avait pas eu vent de la missive avant vendredi. A l’heure où son président, Patrick Martin, était dans l’avion du ministre…

Crude oil prices climbed on Monday amid US President Donald Trump’s threats to impose 25% to 50% tariffs on Russia’s oil. However, economic concerns may outweigh geopolitical tensions, as a weakening economic outlook could dampen oil demand. Investors will also be closely watching the OPEC+ meeting. Crude oil futures prices opened higher during Monday’s Asian session following Trump’s threats to impose tariffs on Russia’s oil exports. The US president also said there would be “bombing” and “secondary tariff” on Iran if the country failed to make a nuclear deal.The West Texas Intermediate (WTI) and Brent futures both jumped 0.6% at…

US craft brewers, already contending with a slump in sales, are set to be impacted by President Trump’s trade tariffs. America’s craft brewers already have enough problems. Hard seltzers and cocktails are muscling into beer sales. Millennials and Gen Z don’t drink as much as their elders. Brewpubs still haven’t fully recovered from the shock of the Covid-19 pandemic five years ago.Now there’s a new threat: President Donald Trump’s tariffs, including levies of 25% on imported steel and aluminium and on goods from Canada and Mexico.“It’s going to cost the industry a substantial amount of money,” said Matt Cole, brewmaster…