
FRENCH far-right politician Marine Le Pen has denied violating any rules as she — and her National Rally party — went on trial today, accused of embezzling European Union funds.
Arriving at the court in Paris, Ms Le Pen said “we have not violated any political and regulatory rules of the European Parliament” and she vowed to present “extremely serious and extremely solid arguments” in the trial.
After hearing a judge read the charges in court, Ms Le Pen said she will “answer all the questions the court may ask.”

As the Alliance of Sahel States and southern African nations advance pan-African goals, the African Union must listen and learn rather than parroting the Western line on these positive developments, writes ROGER McKENZIE

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