分类： society

Tiphaine Auzière, the 41-year-old daughter of Brigitte Macron, has testified in a Paris court about the severe impact of sexist cyber-bullying and conspiracy theories on her mother’s health and daily life. As the step-daughter of French President Emmanuel Macron, Auzière took the stand during the trial of 10 individuals accused of spreading baseless claims about Brigitte Macron’s gender and sexuality. These allegations, which suggest she is a transgender woman, have plagued the 72-year-old first lady for years. Auzière emphasized the emotional and physical toll these attacks have taken on her mother, stating that Brigitte has had to meticulously manage her public image to avoid fueling the rumors. She also highlighted the broader impact on their family, particularly the harassment faced by her grandchildren at school. The defendants, ranging from 41 to 65 years old, include an elected official, a gallery owner, and a teacher. Among them is Aurélien Poirson-Atlan, who accused Brigitte Macron of being transgender and described the couple’s 24-year age gap as ‘state-sanctioned paedophilia.’ Poirson-Atlan defended his actions as satire, while others claimed they were exercising their ‘freedom of expression.’ Prosecutors are seeking suspended prison sentences of three to 12 months and fines up to €8,000 ($9,300) for the accused. The Macrons have vowed to present photographic and scientific evidence to disprove the allegations, including in a separate case against US influencer Candace Owens. Brigitte Macron, who first met her husband when she was his teacher, has faced relentless scrutiny since their marriage in 2007.

An English tourist in his 40s has tragically passed away months after sustaining severe injuries in an alleged assault in Dublin’s Temple Bar district. The incident occurred in the early hours of August 21 at Temple Bar Square, a popular area known for its vibrant nightlife. The victim was initially rushed to Beaumont Hospital in critical condition before being transferred back to the United Kingdom for further medical care. Despite extensive treatment, he succumbed to his injuries recently. In connection with the case, a man in his 20s has been brought before the court, facing charges related to the assault. Irish broadcaster RTÉ reported the legal proceedings, highlighting the ongoing investigation by gardaí (Irish police). The case has drawn attention to safety concerns in Dublin’s bustling tourist areas.

In a poignant testimony during the second day of a Paris trial, Tiphaine Auzière, the daughter of France’s first lady Brigitte Macron, detailed the profound impact of cyberbullying on her mother’s life. The trial involves ten individuals accused of spreading malicious claims online, including allegations about Brigitte Macron’s gender and sexuality, as well as insinuations linking the 24-year age gap between her and President Emmanuel Macron to “pedophilia.” Some of these posts have garnered tens of thousands of views. Auzière emphasized the deterioration in her mother’s living conditions, stating, “She cannot ignore the horrible things said about her.” She also highlighted the misuse of Macron’s images online, forcing her to be cautious about her appearance and daily life. The defendants, including an elected official, a teacher, and a computer scientist, argued that their comments were intended as humor or satire and expressed confusion over the charges. If convicted, they face up to two years in prison. Brigitte Macron did not attend the trial, and a verdict is expected at a later date. Auzière also revealed the broader impact on the family, particularly on her children and grandchildren, who face taunts at school. The Macron family has long been targeted by conspiracy theories alleging that Brigitte was born a man named Jean-Michel Trogneux, a claim they have consistently denied. In July, the Macrons filed a defamation suit in a Delaware court against U.S. conservative influencer Candace Owens, seeking substantial damages if she continues to propagate these claims. Brigitte and Emmanuel Macron, married since 2007, first met when he was her student at a high school in France. Emmanuel Macron has served as France’s president since 2017.

ROME (AP) — Pope Leo XIV has issued a compelling directive to Catholic educators, urging them to prioritize the spiritual and moral development of students over pre-professional outcomes. Speaking during a special Holy Year celebration in Rome, which drew thousands of teachers, students, and administrators, the Pope emphasized the need to integrate technology in ways that uphold human dignity. This message was formalized in a document signed on Monday, updating the 1965 Vatican guidelines for Catholic education established during the Second Vatican Council. The Catholic Church remains a global leader in education, operating over 225,000 primary and secondary schools and enrolling 2.5 million students in Catholic universities worldwide. Pope Leo, an Augustinian, stressed the importance of parents as primary educators and called for Catholic schools to collaborate with families rather than replace them. He also highlighted the role of teachers as moral exemplars, stating, ‘Educators are called to a responsibility that goes beyond their work contract: their witness is worth as much as their lessons.’ The Pope avoided contentious issues like teachers’ private lives or sexual orientation, focusing instead on the broader mission of Catholic education. He critiqued the ‘mercantilist approach’ that reduces education to functionality and practical utility, advocating instead for a vision rooted in dignity, justice, and the common good. Building on Pope Francis’s priorities of inclusion, ecology, and the common good, Leo added three new emphases: fostering students’ spiritual lives, using non-violent language, and promoting responsible technology use, including artificial intelligence. ‘The Catholic school is a place where faith, culture, and life cross paths,’ he wrote. ‘It’s not just an institution, but a living environment in which the Christian vision permeates every discipline and every interaction.’