标签： Europe

In a daring daylight heist at the Louvre Museum in Paris, thieves made off with eight priceless jewels, including a sapphire diadem, necklace, and earring linked to 19th-century queens Marie-Amélie and Hortense. The stolen items, estimated to be worth €88 million ($102 million), were taken on October 19, leaving investigators scrambling to piece together the audacious crime. Over 100 investigators are now combing through 150 DNA samples, surveillance footage, and other evidence to track down the culprits and recover the treasures. The case has captivated global attention for its brazen execution and cinematic details. French authorities have remained tight-lipped about the investigation, citing strict privacy laws and the principle of ‘secret d’instruction,’ which limits public disclosure of ongoing cases. Paris prosecutor Laure Beccuau confirmed that several arrests were made, including one suspect intercepted at a Paris airport while attempting to flee to Algeria. The suspects, whose identities remain undisclosed, could face charges of criminal conspiracy and organized theft, carrying hefty fines and lengthy prison sentences. French media reports suggest that the suspects may be held for up to 96 hours before formal charges are filed. The investigation has also involved international cooperation, with the stolen jewels added to Interpol’s Stolen Works of Art Database. French authorities are working with Eurojust and Europol to facilitate cross-border investigations. However, updates on the case are expected to remain scarce, as French law prohibits the public disclosure of indictments and verdicts, and trials are not televised.

In a historic moment of recognition and reconciliation, King Charles III unveiled Britain’s first national memorial dedicated to lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBTQ+) military personnel on Monday. The ceremony, held at the National Memorial Arboretum in central England, marked a significant step in acknowledging the struggles and sacrifices of LGBTQ+ troops who faced discrimination and dismissal from the armed forces for decades. The memorial, a crumpled bronze letter inscribed with poignant words from affected personnel, stands as a testament to their resilience and service. The event was attended by numerous serving troops, veterans, and dignitaries, underscoring the importance of this milestone. Between 1967 and 2000, LGBTQ+ individuals in the British military were labeled unfit to serve, stripped of their ranks, medals, and pension rights, and subjected to lifelong stigma. The ban was lifted in 2000 following a landmark ruling by the European Court of Human Rights. In 2023, former Prime Minister Rishi Sunak issued a formal apology for what he termed “an appalling failure of the British state,” and a compensation program was established, offering up to £70,000 ($93,000) to affected veterans. LGBTQ+ military charity Fighting with Pride hailed the memorial as a “powerful step forward” in honoring the contributions of these troops. Veterans like Claire Ashton, who was discharged from the Royal Artillery in 1972, shared emotional reflections on the event, describing it as a moment of long-awaited pride and healing. Brigadier Clare Phillips, a 30-year veteran of the British Army, emphasized the memorial’s significance in recognizing the courage of those who paved the way for today’s LGBTQ+ service members to serve openly and with dignity.

This week, a high-profile trial is set to commence in Paris, where ten individuals face charges of cyber-bullying Brigitte Macron, the wife of French President Emmanuel Macron. The defendants are accused of disseminating baseless claims regarding her gender and sexuality, alongside making derogatory comments about the 24-year age difference between the couple. If convicted, they could face up to two years in prison. Among the accused are an elected official, a gallery owner, and a teacher, as reported by French media. Notably, two of the defendants, Natacha Rey and Amandine Roy, were previously convicted of slander for asserting that Brigitte Macron did not exist and that her brother had transitioned genders. However, an appeals court later acquitted them, ruling that their statements did not meet the legal threshold for defamation. The Macron family is appealing this decision. The conspiracy theory alleging that Brigitte Macron is transgender has been circulating since Emmanuel Macron’s first presidential term in 2017. These unfounded claims have gained traction in the United States, largely propagated by right-wing influencer Candace Owens. In July, the Macrons filed a lawsuit against Owens, accusing her of spreading false information and aligning with far-right ideologies. Their lawyer, Tom Clare, described the ordeal as deeply distressing for Brigitte Macron and a significant distraction for the president. Emmanuel Macron emphasized that the legal action was a matter of defending his honor against harmful misinformation. The couple first met when Brigitte was a teacher at Emmanuel’s secondary school, and they married in 2007.