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Macron: ‘Threats Made Against Judges Are Absolutely Unacceptable’
French President Emmanuel Macron has spoken out following the court ruling against Marine Le Pen, who has been convicted of embezzlement and subsequently barred from participating in France’s forthcoming presidential election.
During a weekly cabinet meeting, Macron referenced key points made by government spokesperson Sophie Primas regarding the court’s decision. Primas highlighted the independence of the judiciary, condemned the threats against judges as “absolutely unbearable and intolerable,” and reiterated that “the law applies equally to everyone.” Politico reported on these statements.
Macron also emphasized that “all defendants are entitled to legal recourse,” as expressed by Primas.
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Norway has decided to remain part of the global treaty against anti-personnel landmines, contrary to its neighboring countries along Russia’s border which have opted to withdraw. This was declared by the nation’s foreign minister on Wednesday.
In anticipation of military threats from Russia, Finland announced its intention to leave the 1997 Ottawa Convention, a decision followed by similar announcements from Poland and several Baltic states last month.
Norway’s foreign minister, Espen Barth Eide, expressed regret over Finland’s decision, stating: “If we start weakening our commitment, it becomes easier for armed groups worldwide to employ these weapons again, as it diminishes the stigma associated with them.”
Eide also reassured that Norway boasts a modern and sophisticated defense system, having acquired advanced capabilities for land, air, and sea engagements.
Norway’s foreign minister Espen Barth Eide pictured at the Norwegian Foreign Policy Conference 2025, Oslo, Norway, on 2 April 2025. Photograph: Ole Berg-Rusten/ReutersShare
NATO Allies Commit Over $21 Billion in Military Aid to Ukraine, Says Rutte
NATO allies have pledged a substantial $21.65 billion (exceeding 20 billion euros) in military support for Ukraine during the initial quarter of the year, as per NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte’s announcement.
Foreign ministers from the alliance are set to convene in Brussels on Thursday and Friday to deliberate on additional assistance for Ukraine amidst its ongoing conflict with Russia.
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Macron: ‘Threats Made Against Judges Are Absolutely Unacceptable’
French President Emmanuel Macron has openly addressed the ruling against Marine Le Pen, who has been convicted of embezzling funds and consequently barred from France’s 2027 presidential race.
Macron, during his remarks at a meeting with French ministers, reiterated crucial points made by government spokesperson Sophie Primas. These include affirmations of judicial independence, denouncements of threats against judges as “unacceptable,” and the principle that “the law is the same for everyone,” according to Politico.
Additionally, Macron noted that “all defendants have the right to pursue legal recourse,” as stated by Primas.
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Hungary is taking steps to combat an outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease, which has emerged in a northwestern region adjacent to Slovakia and Austria. The country’s agriculture minister announced the deployment of soldiers and new disinfection protocols.
This marks Hungary’s first case of the disease in over five decades, reported at a cattle farm last month, according to Reuters.
Following this, Slovakia has identified outbreaks at multiple sites after confirming its first cases in March, also amplifying efforts to control the disease.
According to Hungarian agriculture minister Istvan Nagy, additional cases have been discovered at two more farms in Gyor-Moson-Sopron county, impacting 3,500 cattle as of Wednesday morning.
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Angela Giuffrida
Italy’s interior ministry has ordered increased security measures at Tesla dealerships across the nation following the destruction of 17 vehicles in a fire at a dealership in Rome.
Authorities suspect the fire in Torre Angela, a suburb of Rome, may have been caused by anarchists, prompting investigations from Italy’s state police anti-terrorism unit, Digos.
Firefighters labored for hours to extinguish the flames that erupted early Monday, with aerial footage revealing the charred remains of the vehicles in the dealership’s lot. Elon Musk referred to the incident as “terrorism” on his social media platform, X.
Italy has 13 Tesla dealerships, primarily managed by the company itself, located in major cities such as Rome, Florence, and Milan.
A source from the interior ministry indicated that the directive aims to enhance vigilance against potential anti-Tesla protests in light of recent global acts of vandalism linked to Musk’s political engagements in the United States. Increased surveillance at dealerships will be implemented if deemed necessary.
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French President Emmanuel Macron convened key ministers and experts on Wednesday to address concerns regarding Iran, specifically its nuclear ambitions, amid escalating tensions involving Tehran and US President Donald Trump, as reported by three diplomatic sources.
Such focused cabinet meetings are uncommon, underscoring the growing unease among Washington’s European partners regarding the potential for US and Israeli airstrikes on Iran’s nuclear facilities, should negotiations around the program fail to yield results.
In related developments, US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has bolstered military capabilities in the Middle East with an uptick in warplane deployments, as indicated by the Pentagon on Tuesday. This comes amidst a US aerial offensive against the Houthis in Yemen, who are supported by Iran.
European strategists are beginning to ponder whether this military campaign might foreshadow a US strike on Iran in the forthcoming months, according to a senior official.
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Authorities have detained three Spanish nationals and one Australian while they were attempting to access the Russian-controlled Baikonur cosmodrome in Kazakhstan, as reported by the Russian state news agency RIA.
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The dominant influence of the United States on the global economy means that economic policies enacted there can significantly impact decisions made in Europe, remarked European Central Bank board member Isabel Schnabel during a speech in Paris on Wednesday.
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Judge in Le Pen Case Receives Police Protection Following Death Threats
The judge responsible for disqualifying far-right leader Marine Le Pen from France’s 2027 presidential election has been assigned police protection due to receiving death threats, according to sources familiar with the situation.
Benedicte de Perthuis, who presided over the panel that convicted Le Pen of EU fund embezzlement and imposed a five-year ban on her political ambitions, is under security at her home and workplace.
De Perthuis has also reported threats across social media, where images of her have been circulated on extremist platforms.
The Paris police have confirmed that they are investigating these threats, directing further inquiries to the Paris prosecutor’s office, which has not yet provided a response.
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Updated at 16.36 CEST
Denmark’s Prime Minister is making a visit to Greenland on Wednesday to engage with the territory’s newly elected government, following noted interest from US President Donald Trump in the Arctic island’s governance, as reported by Reuters.
Mette Frederiksen’s three-day visit comes shortly after US Vice President JD Vance’s trip to the region, which was received coldly by officials in both Denmark and Greenland.
Prime Minister of Denmark, Mette Frederiksen. Photograph: Pier Marco Tacca/Getty Images
The newly elected Greenlandic Prime Minister, Jens-Frederik Nielsen, expressed his support for Frederiksen’s visit, emphasizing that Denmark remains “Greenland’s closest partner.”
Nielsen stated on Monday that Greenland aspires to strengthen its relationship with Denmark while working towards eventual sovereignty.
Moreover, he expressed a desire to establish a respectful rapport with the United States, noting, “Conversations about annexation or control of Greenland without respect for its sovereignty are not appropriate. It’s essential that we engage with each other respectfully and develop a robust partnership.”
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The introduction of new tariffs by the US would significantly impact Italian producers, according to Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, who spoke in Rome on Wednesday. He emphasized the importance of averting a potential trade conflict.
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Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is set to visit Hungary today, in defiance of an arrest warrant issued by the International Criminal Court (ICC) concerning alleged war crimes in Gaza.
Netanyahu’s visit, lasting until Sunday, will include meetings with his Hungarian counterpart Viktor Orbán, who extended the invitation shortly after the ICC warrant was issued. Orbán had stated at that time that the warrant would “not be observed.”
As members of the ICC, all European Union nations, including Hungary, are obligated to enforce such warrants.
Orbán, known for his right-wing nationalism, has frequently clashed with the EU on issues concerning democratic principles and human rights within Hungary.
Reports from The Times of Israel suggest that Netanyahu and Orbán will also discuss potential Hungarian backing for US President Donald Trump’s proposed plan regarding Gaza.
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The Kremlin announced on Wednesday that a visit to the US by President Vladimir Putin’s envoy, Kirill Dmitriev, could occur, confirming that diplomatic engagements with the US are ongoing.
According to Reuters, Dmitriev is anticipated to arrive in Washington this week to hold discussions with the US administration under President Donald Trump.
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www.theguardian.com