
THOUSANDS gathered for a rally led by left-wing parties on Sunday, warning that France’s far right is embracing United States-style authoritarianism.
The rally comes after French far-right leader Marine Le Pen was found guilty of using European Parliament funds to pay party staff in France, a scheme the court described as “a democratic bypass.”
She was sentenced to four years in prison, including two under house arrest and two suspended, and banned from public office for five years, effective immediately. Her appeal is expected next year.

ROGER McKENZIE looks at the gradual demise of US’s nefarious influence around the world and the complexity of impending freedom

ROGER McKENZIE asks whether the US’s shift to targeting everyone at once will instil greater co-operation among rising powers