logo
Emmanuel Macron waxwork is brazenly stolen from museum in France

Emmanuel Macron waxwork is brazenly stolen from museum in France

Daily Mirror03-06-2025
Greenpeace France said Paris was "playing a double game" in supporting Ukraine while allowing French companies to continue with gas and fertiliser imports from Russia
A waxwork figure of Emmanuel Macron was stolen from a French museum and placed outside the Russian embassy to highlight his alleged double standards on Ukraine.
Greenpeace activists reportedly posed as tourists when they entered Paris' Grevin Museum before covering the statue and taking it out through an emergency exit.

It later reappeared outside the Russian embassy, where activists said the French president was a hypocrite for allowing French companies to continue doing business with Russia despite vocally supporting Ukraine.

No arrests have been made and the waxwork, worth a reported £33,765, has not yet been recovered. Greenpeace said they would return the statue but could not yet confirm when.
Jean-Francois Julliard, head of Greenpeace France, said Paris was "playing a double game" in supporting Ukraine while allowing French companies to continue with gas and fertiliser imports from Russia.
He said Macron "embodies this double discourse" and "should be the first" among European leaders to end trade contracts with Russian companies.
Analysis by the BBC last month revealed that Russia has continued to make billions from fossil fuel exports to the West, including to the EU, since invading Ukraine in 2022.
While it led to sanctions, EU states have paid Russia £176bn for fossil fuels since the February 2022 invasion. This includes £15.1bn from France.

Despite threatening further sanctions on Moscow if it does not cooperate in efforts to negotiate a ceasefire to the Ukraine conflict, it remains to be seen if the EU can wean itself off Russian gas.
The news came as the mounting instability of France's banking sector jeopardises its role as a key EU partner, Italian journalist Nicola Porro warned.
"France, under Macron, is now the new sick man of Europe. It faces a massive fiscal deficit of over 6% of GDP — double the EU's 3% limit — along with a stagnating economy and political instability,' he said.

He highlighted that France's 2025 draft budget proposed £50.5 billion in spending cuts and tax increases to reduce its deficit to 5% of GDP, but warned of serious doubts over its ability to deliver on these promises. He said: "During the eurozone debt crisis, Greece caused a financial panic with just 1.3% of the EU's GDP.
"France accounts for over 16%. If things go wrong, the consequences will be on an entirely larger scale: banks risk hundreds of billions, and the ripple effects could reach British shores (because of UK investments in French banks)."

Mr Porro said that the ongoing political situation in France is making matters worse. Macron's party was decisively defeated in the 2024 European elections by Marine Le Pen's Rassemblement National, leaving the French president struggling to maintain a stable government.
Adding to the concern are France's military operations in Mali, which ended in 2023, and in Burkina Faso and the Sahel - where French troops continue to help governments fight Islamists-backed insurgencies.
Under Macron, France's influence in the region has waned, highlighted by Burkina Faso's president, Captain Ibrahim Traore, saying in January that the French president is 'insulting all Africans" and urged all African nations to end military pacts with Paris.
These failures have damaged EU credibility abroad, paving the way for Russia and China to fill the vacuum, heightening security concerns across North Africa and the Mediterranean, Mr Porro said.
Despite these setbacks, Macron persists in projecting himself as a global statesman, Mr Porro said. However, he claimed that many see his foreign policy as increasingly erratic and self-serving.
Mr Porro added: "His resistance to trade deals like the EU-Mercosur agreement (a free trade deal between the bloc and several South American countries) has been criticised for blocking economic opportunities across the continent. It's always about national interest over EU unity — every time." He added: "And Britain should be very wary of getting too close to that."
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Greenpeace activists arrested after abseiling from bridge
Greenpeace activists arrested after abseiling from bridge

Telegraph

time14 minutes ago

  • Telegraph

Greenpeace activists arrested after abseiling from bridge

Ten protestors have been arrested after spending almost 24 hours suspended from a bridge. The Forth Road Bridge outside Edinburgh was closed on Friday after the Greenpeace activists suspended themselves from the structure to block a tanker carrying fracked gas, which was heading for the Ineos petrochemical plant at nearby Grangemouth. Police Scotland said it had been alerted to the protest shortly after 1pm on Friday. The group suspended themselves from the bridge using ropes, ending up about 25 metres above the water level at high tide. On Saturday morning Greenpeace announced it had ended the demonstration, saying it had 'achieved what we set out to'. The campaign group said its demonstration had prevented the tanker from delivering the gas for a full 24 hours, as the vessel could only travel to Grangemouth during high tides. Greenpeace said all 10 had descended safely and were voluntarily transported to Port Edgar in South Queensferry, where it said they were arrested by officers from Police Scotland on suspicion of culpable and reckless conduct. Police Scotland confirmed that five men, aged between 35 and 40, and five women, aged between 25 and 42, had been arrested. The force added that further inquiries were ongoing, and that the Forth Road Bridge remained closed to traffic as of Saturday morning. After the demonstration ended, Amy Cameron, programme director at Greenpeace UK said: 'We've achieved what we set out to. 'By blocking Ineos, we've drawn global attention to the company's bottomless appetite for plastic production, false solutions and profit for its billionaire boss Jim Ratcliffe.' Plastic production set to triple Describing the 'plastic pollution problem' as being 'massive', she added: 'Less than 10 per cent of plastic is currently recycled globally, and this is set to rise to just 17 per cent by 2060, while the amount of plastic we're producing is set to triple. 'The only solution is to address the problem at source which means securing a strong global plastics treaty that imposes legally-binding caps on plastic production.' Ms Cameron continued: 'Ineos are cutting jobs at Grangemouth while trying to open a massive new plastics plant in Belgium, leaving Scottish workers high and dry. 'If Jim Ratcliffe really cared about skilled jobs in Scotland he'd invest his billions in supporting his workers to transition into the green industries of the future, instead of throwing money at Formula 1 racing teams and football clubs.' Greenpeace insists its protest was safe and caused 'minimal disruption' – stressing that the climbers had spent weeks training for the demonstration, also pointing out that the Forth Road Bridge carries low volumes of bus, cycle and pedestrian traffic. An Ineos spokesman said the stunt was 'dangerous, disruptive and entirely counterproductive'. It added: 'Ineos is one of the few companies investing in solutions: advanced recycling, circular design, and low-carbon feedstocks. We are building real infrastructure, not hanging banners off bridges. 'If Greenpeace truly cared about outcomes, they'd stop targeting the companies delivering change and start supporting serious policy reform on waste collection and global recycling standards.'

Lone protester slams Donald Trump at golf course with brutal Scottish insult
Lone protester slams Donald Trump at golf course with brutal Scottish insult

Daily Mirror

timean hour ago

  • Daily Mirror

Lone protester slams Donald Trump at golf course with brutal Scottish insult

Matt Halliday from Stranraer said he was disappointed more people hadn't shown up to Trump's golf course - while hundreds protested in Edinburgh and Aberdeen A lone protester braved the massive police presence at Donald Trump's golf course to protest against his visit to Scotland. ‌ Trump enjoyed a morning round of golf with the protection of thousands of British police officers - while protests against his trip to Scotland raged elsewhere. ‌ The US President is staying at Turnberry until Monday before heading off to his other golf resort in Aberdeen. ‌ Tomorrow he'll hold a meeting with EU chief Ursula Von Der Leyen, before sitting down with Keir Starmer on Monday. During the meeting, they're expected to discuss the fine points of the trade deal Mr Starmer agreed with President Trump in May. But while it's expected to be an informal session, they'll also discuss heavier topics - including work to bring about a ceasefire in Gaza and an end to the war in Ukraine. ‌ Trump was seen playing golf on Saturday morning, and was shuttled around the course in a 15-strong motorcade of golf buggies. He wore a white USA baseball cap, and waved at photographers gathered outside the course's fence. The sole protester at Turnberry - Matt Halliday, 55, from Stranraer - came to Turnberry today bearing two placards. ‌ One featured a picture of Donald Trump and Jeffrey Epstein, and another of a set of bagpipes. The message read: "TRUMP GO HOME: The only "blowhard" pumped up windbags that we want to listen to are these bad boys". The second placard was much less family friendly. ‌ "I'm here to show my displeasure at Trump being here," he told the Mirror. "I just find him morally repugnant. I see what he's doing in the states, rolling back civil rights for women and minorities, folk getting lifted from their houses, medicaid getting taken away - and he comes here and thinks he's got the authority to pontificate to us. "Because he wants us to do the same, and he'll try and bully us through tariffs and trade - similar to Canada which he wants to make the 51st state. ‌ "That's what's coming for us if we don't stand up to him." Protests raged in Edinburgh and Aberdeen today, with thousands expressing their displeasure at Trump's arrival. ‌ In Aberdeen, the group that gathered in the city centre were seen waving banners with anti-Trump slogans - with one demonstrator even dressed as the president with a large papier mache head. As speeches ended at the rally, chants of "Trump Trump Trump, out out out" could be heard, along with "Donald, Donald, hear us shout, all of Scotland wants you out". But the winding roads and windswept beaches of South Ayrshire, where Turnberry sits, remained calm and quiet. ‌ Mr Halliday suggested people had been put off by the enormous operation Police Scotland have put in place to protect President Trump - complete with a no-fly zone, a ground exclusion zone stretching for miles around the resort, snipers and as many as 5,000 officers reported to be policing the area. And the operation is much bigger than locals have seen during previous visits. ‌ "It's supposedly a private visit, and I've seen figures from £5 million to £14 million for Police Scotland, Mr Halliday said. "That's coming out of their budget. If you saw the convoy of 27 cars last night, there were even Scottish Ambulances at the back. And folk can't get them. It's madness." Get Donald Trump updates straight to your WhatsApp! As the world attempts to keep up with Trump's antics, the Mirror has launched its very own US Politics WhatsApp community where you'll get all the latest news from across the pond. We'll send you the latest breaking updates and exclusives all directly to your phone. Users must download or already have WhatsApp on their phones to join in. All you have to do to join is click on this link, select 'Join Chat' and you're in! We may also send you stories from other titles across the Reach group. We will also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose Exit group. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. ‌ Mr Halliday said he was "very" disappointed to have arrived in Turnberry to find no other protesters - but he said he thought most people had gone to Edinburgh instead. Mr Halliday said he was "very" disappointed to have arrived in Turnberry to find no other protesters - but he said he thought most people had gone to the Edinburgh rally instead. Another man from Glasgow, who did not want to be named, said they were surprised people had not come to protest in Turnberry itself - and were dismayed that the huge police presence had been used to put people off. ‌ 'Especially since it's - apart from a couple of meetings - it's a holiday, it's a private visit,' he said. 'The resources that have been diverted from other places to protect him. It's mad.' One participant joined the Edinburgh rally against Donald Trump while wearing a Handmaid costume from the Margaret Atwood novel. Louise Brown, a healthcare worker, said she had travelled from Newcastle to the Scottish capital to protest the President's visit. ‌ She said: "He's a convicted felon - eroding women's rights, trans rights, gay right, immigration rights. There's too much to list. "I know he loves Scotland because of his mother. He doesn't normally care about protests but maybe he might care a little bit about one in Scotland, I don't know." She said there was more anger towards Trump following his first inauguration in 2017, but added: "Especially after those immigration ICE raids, I think the anger has now come back. "Because he's even worse than he was the first time."

We need substance, not gestures in pursuit of the two-state solution
We need substance, not gestures in pursuit of the two-state solution

Telegraph

time2 hours ago

  • Telegraph

We need substance, not gestures in pursuit of the two-state solution

The suffering we are witnessing in the Gaza Strip demands a response. All parties must do what they can to ensure every civilian has safe access to adequate food and medicine, along with the immediate return of the remaining hostages. This moment of crisis requires practical solutions, not gesture politics. The push for the unilateral declaration of a Palestinian state by some politicians in this country, and by President Macron of France, cannot improve the situation. The UK Jewish community and its major communal organisations have long supported a two-state solution, leading to a secure Israel alongside a viable Palestinian state. But recognising Palestine now will not help achieve that goal. Hamas, having started this war with the brutal terrorism of October 7, are desperate for a propaganda victory to justify the immense suffering they have created. They will claim recognition of Palestine as a vindication of their murderous rampages and hostage-taking. Further, unilateral recognition cannot substitute for the difficult negotiations and concessions needed to realise an enduring peace. Palestinian leaders have been offered two-state proposals in 1947, 2000, 2008, 2014 and 2020, rejecting them each time. This intransigence, and the incitement and corruption of the Palestinian Authority, must be abandoned. Israelis cannot be expected to sacrifice their security for a Palestinian state which could be the base for another October 7. After decades of statements and declarations, it should be clear to all parties that declaring something does not make it the case. Any Palestinian state will need to be created to thrive in reality, not only in the minds of policy-makers. As UK ministers have rightly argued, recognition should be used when it can contribute materially to the endgame of a diplomatic process. In our meetings with the Israeli government, and partners across the Jewish Diaspora, we have been clear that the need for consensual diplomacy, rather than unilateralism, also applies to Israel. The alarming rhetoric of some within the Israeli government, extremist settler violence in the West Bank, and the lack of a clear vision to end the conflict, has left many of Israel's friends unsure of how a sustainable 'day after' can be achieved. In this complex and challenging moment, steps to advance a two-state solution should still be focussed on substance, not gestures. The immediate priority must be to ensure a massive expansion of aid to Gaza, the return of hostages and a lasting ceasefire. This aid must be delivered, whether by the GHF or other humanitarian agencies, in a way which ensures that the beleaguered population receives it but does not allow Hamas to continue to weaponise the aid to fund this war. Beyond this immediate crisis, the ongoing need for peace building has never been more important. This includes both international diplomacy, such as the expansion of the Abraham Accords through normalisation with Saudi Arabia, and bottom-up initiatives both in the Middle East and at home. We need to export peace, not import this conflict. We have told the UK Government that we stand ready to engage with them, the British Muslim community, Israelis, Palestinians, and other key actors, in support of a comprehensive plan that will make a Palestinian state beside a secure Israel a reality. After the horrors of the last 21 months, lasting peace and security for Israelis, Palestinians and the wider Middle East must now be our urgent mission.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store