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Emmanuel Macron flexes political muscle with boxing photos

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Emmanuel Macron, the French president, recently made headlines by releasing photos of himself vigorously boxing, showcasing his muscular physique. These images, shared on Instagram by his photographer, emerged shortly after Macron adopted a more assertive stance towards Russia in light of the Ukraine conflict. Social media quickly dubbed him “Rocky,” although some skeptics questioned whether the images had been digitally altered, comparing them to previous photos where Macron’s arms appeared slimmer.

The timing of these pictures, coming on the heels of Macron’s suggestion of potential Western military involvement in Ukraine, was seen as a deliberate message to Russia. Macron warned of the danger of allowing Ukraine to fall, emphasizing Russia’s broader territorial ambitions in Eastern Europe.

Analysts speculated that the release of the boxing photos was a strategic move by Macron to project strength and determination, akin to Vladimir Putin’s own displays of physical prowess. Gaspard Gantzer, a PR expert, suggested that Macron wanted to convey his readiness to confront challenges and defend France’s interests.

While some praised Macron’s muscular appearance and interpreted the images as a symbol of his readiness to face adversaries, others criticized them as political posturing. Opposition figures like Sandrine Rousseau expressed disdain, characterizing the photos as emblematic of the superficiality of politics.

Macron’s interest in sports, particularly boxing, is not new, with his wife, Brigitte Macron, revealing his regular training routine. However, this public display of physical strength was seen as a departure from his previous image, such as the more relaxed portrayal in a shirt with open buttons.

In essence, Macron’s release of boxing photos was interpreted as a strategic communication move amid heightened tensions, aiming to convey resolve and readiness in the face of geopolitical challenges.

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Magali Berdah: Dozens jailed in France’s largest cyberbully case

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In France’s most significant cyberbullying case to date, twenty-eight individuals have been sentenced to jail terms of up to 18 months for harassing influencer Magali Berdah. The harassment, orchestrated partly by French rapper Booba’s campaign against “thieving influencers,” had severe impacts on Berdah’s mental well-being, as stated by the court in Paris.

Booba, also known as Élie Yaffa, faces his own legal proceedings for aggravated harassment, which he denies. Berdah, renowned as “the queen of influencers” in France, has faced relentless online abuse encouraged by Booba’s posts, according to her lawyers.

The court emphasized that each defendant willingly participated in the cyberbullying, resulting in jail sentences ranging from four to 18 months, with some terms suspended. Berdah, expressing relief at the verdict, described it as a “beautiful victory,” highlighting the anguish the bullying caused her over two years.

The convictions, according to Berdah’s legal team, underscore the accountability of individuals for their actions online, emphasizing that nobody is immune from consequences behind a keyboard. In addition to fines and court costs, the defendants were ordered to pay a total of 54,000 euros in compensation to Berdah.

Booba has denied leading an online “mob,” despite accusations. Notably, he has been involved in previous controversies, such as a 2018 brawl at a Paris airport with fellow rapper Kaaris, resulting in both receiving suspended jail sentences.

Separately, Berdah faces legal proceedings for money laundering, with her marketing company Shauna Events under investigation for fraud.

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Vinicius Jr: Real Madrid file complaint after referee omits racist abuse allegations from report

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Real Madrid has lodged a formal complaint against the referee overseeing their recent match against Osasuna, alleging that he omitted instances of racist abuse directed at forward Vinicius Jr from his match report. The club asserts that the insults were intentionally disregarded by the referee, despite being brought to his attention by Real Madrid players during the game. Real Madrid condemns these incidents of racism and demands decisive action to address and eliminate such behavior.

The complaint is part of a broader effort by Real Madrid to combat racism in football. They have also reported alleged racist insults from Atletico Madrid and Barcelona fans, adding this latest incident to their existing complaint filed with Spanish legal authorities. These actions follow a pattern of racist abuse targeting Vinicius in recent seasons, including instances during matches and off the field, resulting in fines and stadium bans for offenders.

Vinicius Jr, who scored twice in the match against Osasuna, has unfortunately been subjected to racist abuse on multiple occasions, prompting Real Madrid to call for comprehensive measures to eradicate such behavior from the sport.

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Oscars 2024: Zelensky hails Ukraine’s first-ever Oscar victory

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President Volodymyr Zelensky praised the historic win of Ukraine’s first-ever Oscar for the documentary “20 Days In Mariupol,” which depicts Russia’s brutal siege of the port city. Zelensky emphasized that the film reveals the truth about Russian terrorism and sheds light on the suffering endured by Mariupol’s residents during the city’s destruction.

Director Mstyslav Chernov, accepting the award for best documentary feature, expressed his honor at being Ukraine’s inaugural Oscar recipient. Despite this recognition, Chernov expressed regret, stating that he wished he had never had to make the film. He mourned the loss of Ukrainian lives due to Russia’s aggression and called for truth to prevail and the memory of Mariupol’s people to endure.

Chernov concluded his speech with the rallying cry “Slava Ukraini!” (Glory to Ukraine!), echoing the sentiment shared by millions of Ukrainians. The film’s victory is celebrated widely on Ukrainian social media, with many considering it a historic achievement. Chernov and his team risked their lives to document Mariupol’s plight, navigating Russian checkpoints to ensure their footage reached the world.

Mariupol, once a thriving port on the Sea of Azov, suffered extensive destruction at the hands of Russian forces. Despite Russia’s claim of “liberation,” the film serves as a poignant reminder of the devastation inflicted upon the city and its people.

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Meghan Markle: ‘We’ve forgotten our humanity’ on social media

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The Duchess of Sussex, Meghan Markle, delivered a poignant keynote address at the SXSW festival in Austin, Texas, where she candidly criticized the toxicity prevalent on social media platforms. Revealing her own experiences of being targeted with bullying and abuse, particularly during her pregnancies with Archie and Lilibet, Meghan highlighted the disturbing lack of humanity in certain online spaces. Despite the challenges she faced, Meghan emphasized the importance of maintaining one’s wellbeing and advocated for a shift towards more positive and empathetic interactions online.

Meghan’s appearance at SXSW underscored her commitment to addressing pressing societal issues, particularly those concerning women’s empowerment and representation. As she shared her insights on diverse representation in media and the portrayal of motherhood, Meghan reiterated the urgency of fostering a more inclusive and compassionate digital landscape. Through her advocacy and speaking engagements, Meghan continues to amplify marginalized voices and advocate for meaningful change on both local and global platforms.

Despite the ongoing scrutiny and criticism that Meghan and Prince Harry face, particularly from tabloid media, their dedication to philanthropy and social activism remains unwavering. Since relocating to California and establishing the Archewell Foundation, the couple has utilized their platform to champion causes close to their hearts, from mental health awareness to environmental conservation. While navigating the complexities of public life, Meghan and Harry continue to prioritize making a positive impact and inspiring others to do the same.

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Mourners shout in defiance at funeral for Alexei Navalny

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Hundreds of individuals in Russia gathered for the funeral of Alexei Navalny, the outspoken Putin critic who died in prison last month. Despite a substantial police presence and erected barricades, mourners broke into applause as Navalny’s body was brought into a church near Moscow. Attendees knowingly risked arrest for expressing support, while Navalny’s wife squarely pointed the finger at President Putin for his demise, contrary to Moscow’s claim of natural causes.

Navalny’s memorial service commenced at 14:00 Moscow time at the Church of the Icon of Our Lady Quench My Sorrows, with notable foreign diplomats present in solidarity. Following the service, Navalny was laid to rest at Borisovskoye Cemetery. Despite efforts to broadcast the event live, disruptions to mobile signals hindered streaming, leaving many unable to witness the proceedings.

Despite warnings from the Kremlin, mourners seized the opportunity to voice their admiration for Navalny’s bravery and questioned the authorities’ apparent fear. Navalny’s team encountered challenges in organizing the funeral, including difficulties in procuring a hearse. Supporters abroad were urged to participate in memorial services, reminiscent of past public displays of grief for opposition figures.

Concerns about surveillance and the potential for post-funeral detentions were widespread, with social media platforms sharing advice urging attendees to exercise caution. The gathering was marked by a sense of defiance against government crackdowns on dissent.

Navalny’s immediate family, excluding his children residing abroad, attended the ceremony. However, his widow, Yulia, faced potential arrest upon her return to Russia, further underscoring the risks associated with opposition activism in the country.

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McCann suspect in German trial for unrelated sex offences

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Christian Brückner, the prime suspect in the disappearance of Madeleine McCann, recently appeared in a German court for unrelated sex offenses. He faces charges of rape and sexual abuse dating back to between 2000 and 2017 in Portugal. Brückner, who is already serving a seven-year sentence for rape, denies any involvement in Madeleine McCann’s case.

The trial was postponed due to allegations that a lay judge had posted radical views on social media. Brückner has never been formally charged in the McCann case, but German investigators identified him as a suspect in 2020. The charges he currently faces are for offenses unrelated to Madeleine’s disappearance.

Brückner’s lawyer has criticized the charges, but the trial continues in Lower Saxony, Germany. Brückner has a history of convictions in Portugal, including rape and theft. Although initially not closely investigated in Madeleine’s case, Brückner’s connection to it has brought him under scrutiny.

He is currently serving a prison sentence and the outcome of this trial may affect his incarceration beyond his current sentence.

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Ukraine war: Attack on Belgorod shopping centre in Russia near border

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The governor of the Belgorod region reported that an air attack in the Russian city resulted in the deaths of at least five individuals and injuries to eighteen others. Videos on social media depicted ambulances outside a damaged shopping center with broken windows. Russian authorities stated that their air defense systems intercepted 14 Ukrainian missiles over the Belgorod region, with one missile striking a shopping center and another hitting a sports stadium.

Belgorod, situated approximately 30km from the Ukrainian border, has frequently been targeted by Ukrainian forces since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine began nearly two years ago. This recent attack follows a previous drone and rocket strike in December that claimed 25 lives and injured 100, marking the deadliest assault on Belgorod thus far.

In response to the ongoing conflict, Russia launched 26 missiles at Ukraine, resulting in the death of a woman in Chuguyiv and multiple injuries. Meanwhile, the battle for the eastern Ukrainian town of Avdiivka continues, with Ukrainian soldiers expressing concerns over shortages of weapons and ammunition.

NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg cautioned that the US’s failure to approve continued military assistance to Ukraine is impacting the battlefield. Avdiivka holds strategic importance as a gateway to the Russian-controlled city of Donetsk and has been a focal point of conflict since the onset of the eastern Ukrainian conflict in 2014.

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German ex-spy chief investigated for right-wing extremism

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Hans-Georg Maassen, formerly in charge of countering neo-Nazis in Germany, is now under investigation for suspected right-wing extremism by the intelligence agency he led until 2018. Maassen revealed a letter from the Office for the Protection of the Constitution (BfV) confirming the investigation, but the agency, citing data protection rules, cannot comment on individual cases. Maassen, critical of the inquiry, accuses Interior Minister Nancy Faeser of using intelligence services against political opponents.

The investigation points to Maassen’s alleged belief in far-right and antisemitic conspiracy theories, anti-migrant rhetoric, and a supposed sympathy for the far-right Reichsbürger movement. His tenure as head of domestic intelligence was marked by accusations of downplaying the far-right threat, and over time, he became known for extreme comments on social media. In 2018, he left office after questioning the authenticity of a video depicting xenophobic far-right violence in Chemnitz.

Maassen’s rhetoric has since intensified, with comparisons of migrants to cancer in an article titled “Chemotherapy for Germany.” Experts suggest he may have become radicalized, ironic given his previous role in combating radicalization.

Maassen recently confirmed that his new party, the Values Union, launched in January, is open to cooperation with the far-right AfD to gain power after upcoming regional elections. This departure from the established “firewall” against collaboration with the AfD signals a shift in German politics. Members of the Values Union attended a controversial November meeting where mass deportations were discussed, sparking nationwide protests against the far right with the slogan “We are the firewall.”

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‘Send back our husbands’ – Russian women in rare protest

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In a Moscow function room, a group of women, known as The Way Home, publicly criticizes the Russian authorities for keeping their husbands, part of the 300,000 reservists mobilized for the war in Ukraine, away from home. The women, who met through social media, have different views on the war but share the belief that their husbands have fulfilled their military duty and should return.

The women express frustration with the government and its lack of consideration for the soldiers’ well-being. They meet with local councillor Boris Nadezhdin, a rare government critic who has been allowed on national television. Nadezhdin, critical of the military operation, believes the war has damaged Putin’s domestic popularity.

Critics of the war blame the mobilized men, while Kremlin supporters label the women as Western puppets. Russian MP Andrei Kartapolov suggests that calls for demobilization are orchestrated by Russia’s enemies, linking it to World War Two. The women find such comparisons insulting, emphasizing that the current conflict is different.

Maria Andreeva, a member of The Way Home, not only advocates for her family’s return but also aims to prevent further call-ups. The group stages peaceful protests by laying flowers at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.

Despite their efforts, the women feel a lack of support from society. Antonina, whose partner was drafted, shares her disappointment in the changing perception of her husband among friends. She emphasizes the desire for the return of husbands who did not volunteer for the front line, questioning Putin’s attitude towards citizens who once supported him. The women fear the possibility of a second wave of mobilization, despite Putin’s earlier assurances.

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