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France’s rental crisis deepens as eviction delays hit 21 months on average
Tensions experienced by national council commissaires de justice members were 'particularly high'
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France swaps US tech for European alternatives to Zoom and ChatGPT
The use of American video conferencing tools such as Zoom and Microsoft Teams are to be phased out in the public sector
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Hundreds of extra French communes recognised as ‘natural disaster’ zones
The recognition unlocks insurance compensation for homes affected by droughts and flooding
Eurovision singer sues over online gay hatred
France’s Eurovision contender has launched legal action after receiving more than a thousand hate messages over his sexuality and feminine appearance.
Bilal Hassani’s case is backed by the association Stop Homophobie, whose spokesperson Joël Berthout said: “The bullies think they can say anything under freedom of speech.”
The 19-year-old singer’s lawyer said the social media messages, which say they hope he will die and claim he is a disgrace to his country and his religion – although his beliefs are not known – were “unacceptable”.
Culprits risk six years in prison and a fine of €45,000.
Bilal, who is Parisian with French-Moroccan parents, has asked people to “let him live”.
He has apologised over an old tweet in which he accused Israel – host of the Eurovision contest on May 14 – of crimes against humanity, and after a video was published showing him joking about terrorism. He said he was young at the time.
