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Meet the Macrons: ‘Slapgate', bizarre conspiracy theories and controversies

Meet the Macrons: ‘Slapgate', bizarre conspiracy theories and controversies

His awkward smile and wave when he realized what officials described as a 'joke' had been noticed just fuelled the rumours.
The couple have long fascinated the public.
With a 24-year age gap, Brigitte Macron was originally Macron's drama teacher when he was just 15.
The future president vowed to marry the teacher with whom he was smitten a year later – succeeding when he was 29.
Mrs Macron is subject to one of the most bizarre conspiracy theories out there – one over which she has successfully sued but which has now been promoted by the likes of right-wing media personalities Candace Owens Tucker Carlson.
The First Lady successfully sued two French women for damages in September 2024 after they claimed that she was born male.
To meet the Macrons, Ciarán Dunbar is joined by Paris-based Journalist Catherine Field.

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French wildcard Lois Boisson makes history at Roland Garros with semi-final spot
French wildcard Lois Boisson makes history at Roland Garros with semi-final spot

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time4 minutes ago

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French wildcard Lois Boisson makes history at Roland Garros with semi-final spot

The 22-year-old Frenchwoman, ranked 361 in the world, followed up her win over third seed Jessica Pegula with a 7-6 (6) 6-3 victory over Russian world number six Mirra Andreeva. Boisson dropped to the clay with her hands over her eyes in emotional scenes on a packed, ecstatic Court Philippe-Chatrier. 'I'm just proud of myself, because it was really tough for me to go into the semi-final,' she said. 'Every match was really tough, so I'm just proud about how it ends every time. And proud about what I do on the court.' Boisson's earnings from the year so far were £15,000, and she has now pocketed £580,000 for her fortnight's work in Paris. Her run has echoes of Emma Raducanu's charge through qualifying to win the US Open in 2021. If she goes on to win it, it would be even more unbelievable, as Raducanu was at least on the radar having reached the fourth round at Wimbledon before her New York triumph. Mirra Andreeva suffered in the second set (Jon Buckle/PA) And Boisson, who faces second seed Coco Gauff for a place in the final, freely admits she is dreaming of claiming the title. 'I think every kid who plays tennis has the dream to win a slam. More for French player to win Roland Garros, for sure,' she added. 'So, yeah, it's a dream. For sure I will go for the dream, because my dream is to win it, not to be in the semi-final. So I will try to do my best for it.' It was all too much for Russian 18-year-old Andreeva, who had two set points in the first but suffered a complete meltdown in the second. She told the crowd to 'shut up', received a code violation for whacking a ball into the stands, burst into tears and shouted at members of her coaching team to leave. Andreeva said: 'I think that the way I managed to kind of not react to anything in the first set – I think that if I would have been able to do this throughout the whole match, would have been great.' Boisson had suffered a career-threatening ACL injury before what was supposed to be her debut here last year and spent nine months recovering. She had won just one Tour-level match before Roland Garros, against Harriet Dart whose unpleasant comment that her opponent needed to wear deodorant must now be eating away at the British player this fortnight. Boisson is projected to rise to 65 in the WTA rankings, which would place her above Dart. Gauff had earlier scrapped her way past her fellow American Madison Keys, the seventh seed, 6-7 (6) 6-4 6-1. The 21-year-old faces arguably an even bigger test on Thursday against an inspired Boisson and 15,000 raucous Parisians on Court Philippe-Chatrier. 'I think there are two ways I have done it in the past,' said Gauff. 'Either, A, just pretend they're cheering for you, or B, just using it and not letting that get to you. 'I think it's just something that I will mentally prepare for if it were to happen and expect and be ready for.' Boisson had spent the morning hitting with none other than men's top seed Jannik Sinner. It seemed to do both the world of good, with Italian Sinner dispatching Alexander Bublik in straight sets. The Kazakh, who knocked out Jack Draper on Monday, was beaten 6-1 7-5 6-0.

US and Europe trade negotiators discuss tariffs in Paris
US and Europe trade negotiators discuss tariffs in Paris

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US and Europe trade negotiators discuss tariffs in Paris

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Artwork featuring JK Rowling's name taken off display to stop ‘tampering'
Artwork featuring JK Rowling's name taken off display to stop ‘tampering'

Leader Live

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Artwork featuring JK Rowling's name taken off display to stop ‘tampering'

Visitors who went to Hardwick Hall in Derbyshire between April and November 2024 were invited to nominate a 'contemporary Virtuous Woman', whose name was then sewn into the fabric. Since the project ended, the participatory artwork, A Virtuous Woman, has continued to be on display, featuring Rowling's name which was at an unspecified time 'stitched over by other participants'. Injustice to JK Rowling corrected. Don't erase the names of women from art or life. #TerfsDidThis @LightninLex – perfect wingwoman as always. — Jean Hatchet (@JeanHatchet) May 31, 2025 Last week on X, feminist campaigner Jean Hatchet said she had 'corrected' the work by taking off the stitching over Harry Potter author Rowling's name. It follows criticism of Scotland-based Rowling's views on gender issues that have seen her called transphobic by activists, which she has denied. A spokeswoman for the National Trust said: 'The artwork was open to contributions for eight months and closed in November when the piece was finished and put on public display. 'During the participation phase, JK Rowling's name was stitched onto the piece seven times and in two instances it was stitched over by other participants. 'At the time the artwork was completed and subsequently hung, JK Rowling's name appeared five times without any overstitching. 'We ask people not to damage or tamper with artworks once they are finished and on public display. 'The piece has been taken off display for investigation and to protect it from further tampering or damage. We take all claims and incidents of damage to items in our care seriously and investigate each one.' Ms Hatchet criticised the response from the National Trust, saying she removed the 'stitching with the correct tool', took 'great time and care', and did not damage it. The stitched names of British queens, artist Yoko Ono, former prime minister Baroness Margaret Thatcher, climate campaigner Greta Thunberg, and Taylor Swift among others appear not to have stitching over them on the recycled textile. The work comes from artist Layla Khoo in association with the University of Leeds and National Trust, and is inspired by wealthy Elizabethan woman Elizabeth Talbot, known as Bess of Hardwick, commissioning a series of large embroideries featuring noble women from the ancient world, such as Cleopatra. Any contributions to the piece have been made by those who chose to take part. None of the views expressed or actions taken by participants represent the views of the National Trust, the artist or the University of Leeds. (3/3) — National Trust (@nationaltrust) May 25, 2025 The trust had previously responded to criticism from the organisation, Women's Rights Network Derbyshire and Staffordshire, who advocated for 'a simple addition to their description', with a statement explaining why the crossing-out stitching on Rowling's name remains. Responding on X, the trust said that it is a 'collaborative piece of art formed of participants' views from a variety of age groups, life experiences and beliefs', and 'any contributions to the piece have been made by those who chose to take part'. 'None of the views expressed or actions taken by participants represent the views of the National Trust, the artist or the University of Leeds,' the organisation said Ellie Evans, from WRN Derbyshire and Staffordshire, criticised the artwork being covered up, saying the move would 'erase all the women'. Rowling declined to comment. Khoo and the University of Leeds have also been contacted.

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