Tag: reportedly

  • Macrons Quietly Engaged Private Investigator to Unearth Scandalous Evidence on Candace Owens

    Macrons Quietly Engaged Private Investigator to Unearth Scandalous Evidence on Candace Owens

    Macron Team Deploys Secret Agents on Candace Owens

    In a move that feels straight out of a spy thriller, French President Emmanuel Emmanuel Macron and his wife Brigitte Macron have reportedly hired a private detective firm to dig into the background of outspoken commentator Candace Owens. The scoop comes from a fresh Financial Times report.

    Why (and why not) the Macrons are on the lens

    • Ongoing defamation lawsuit: The couple is pushing back on Owens’ claims that Brigitte was born male.
    • Multi‑platform attack: Owens has repeated the allegations across numerous social media outlets.
    • Deep‑dive investigations: Private eye services are yanked in for a thorough fact‑check.

    What this means for the French First Class

    While the public image of the Macrons may feel polished, the underlying legal drama shows that even the most glamorous leaders take guard against false narratives. The added mystery of hiring a surveillance squad underscores the high stakes in the court‑room showdown.

    An inside look on tactics

    One can almost picture a tailor‑made dossier‑builder, armed with interviews, vetted sources, and background checks. It’s a reminder: “In the age of viral headlines, fact‑checking feels less optional and more essential.”

    As the legal battle unfolds, keep your eyes peeled—both at the courtroom and on social media—to see how this high‑profile feud shapes the future narrative.

    The Cross‑Continent Spin‑Case

    Picture this: a slick New York firm, Nardell & Co, stepping into the spotlight to poke around the life of the popular podcaster Owens. According to a British business news outlet, they dug deep for juicy dirt, sniffing through Owens’ public chatter and her political pal’s backstory.

    What They Tried to Uncover

    • Any direct ties with Russian officials or business players?
    • Whether Owens had a “Russian side‑kick” vibe.
    • She was finally exonerated from a concrete Russian connection.
    • However, they did spot her online bumping elbows with Alexander Dugin, famed Russian political theorist. Who knew they’d both share each other’s content on social media more times than the number of posts a unicorn gets?

    The 218‑Page Legal Playbook

    The lawsuit, filed just last week in Delaware Superior Court, is a beast of its own. It’s packed with 22 separate charges, each one a headline‑sticker in the defamation world:

    • False light invasion of privacy
    • Defamation by implication
    • Classic defamation (word‑to‑word, swipe‑style)

    The heart of this legal grind? Owens’s repeated, cross‑platform claims that Brigitte Macron was born a male. Yes, that’s a rumor that got extreme political emoji status.

    Who Else Was Involved?

    Researchers spotted her clique boarding the same conservative pass: Tucker Carlson the news wizard and Nigel Farage, the Reform UK leader. Kelly’s big “connect‑the‑dots” story gave a glimpse of her network.

    Owens’ Take‑Away

    When the Financial Times brought up the Macron drama, Owens shot back, “When it comes to Brigitte Macron, abusing Emmanuel and then blaming it on Russia is an unfortunate and sinister pattern.” A bit of a dramatic flair, but it was pretty sharp. The podcast champion argued how she keeps bumping words around anyway.

    The Verdict from Macros’ Lawyer

    Tom Clare, Macros’ attorney, called the lawsuit all‑overboard. “It’s a straightforward defamation case,” he said, “Owens was just shining the light on “discredited falsehoods” that stemmed from a self‑proclaimed spirit‑medium and what he considers a pseudo‑investigative journalist.” Clash of stars, but the law stands by an ordinary book of truth and no drama. All set to see how that courtroom drama plays out.

    Brigitte Macron’s Legal Stand-Up: The Fight Against False Microphone Talk

    The drama that unfolded on the digital stage is biting, and the stakes are high for France’s first lady—bracket bristles at the possibility that Brigitte Macron might not be who she claims to be. In a saga that’s turned a myth into a courtroom showdown, the meta story revolves around a relentless social media campaign and a YouTube mini‑series titled “Becoming Brigitte.” The Macrons—yes, that presidential duo—aren’t just shrugging off these theories. They’ve officially filed a lawsuit, blaming the alleged influencer for a surge in online harassment.

    Quick Recap of the Legal Lullaby

    • Repetition of Rumors: The claim that Brigitte is a man was reiterated across posts and a full‑length eight‑part YouTube saga.
    • Harassment Hit List: The citations point to a spike in harassing messages directed at the first lady.
    • Pre-Action Pleas: Before walking into the courtroom, the Presidential team demanded multiple retractions.
    • “Only Path Forward”: After the initial pleas, the Macrons declared legal action the “only remaining avenue for remedy.”
    • Defiant Declarations: Owens declared she’d “stake her entire professional reputation” on this, in a 2024 social media post.

    Mixed Courtroom Results – The French Angle

    In July, a Paris appeal court threw out convictions against two other women who made similar claims about Brigitte, labeling their intent as “good faith.” This judgment not only erased pre‑awarded damages but also showcased how tricky it is to pin down defamation in an era where digital rumors can spin faster than a turning dial.

    The Path Ahead: What’s Next?

    While the French approach has been a bit of a seesaw, the current U.S. lawsuit is a baptism of justice that throws the spotlight on how false online narratives can be weaponized. The Macrons hold out hope that a courtroom win in the U.S. will set a precedent—turning chili-laden accusations into a playground for legal gymnastics. The next chapter will likely involve more emotional appeals, more digital “exposures,” and maybe an update from an over‑curiosized community of fact‑checkers.

  • SoftBank makes B investment in Intel

    SoftBank makes $2B investment in Intel

    Japanese conglomerate SoftBank has agreed to make a $2 billion investment in Intel in a deal described as a commitment to advanced technology and semiconductors in the United States.

    The agreement, in which SoftBank will buy Intel common stock, was announced Monday after markets closed. SoftBank will pay $23 per share of Intel common stock. Shares of Intel, which closed at $23.66, popped more than 5% in after-hours trading.

    SoftBank Group Chairman and CEO Masayoshi Son said in a statement that the “strategic investment reflects our belief that advanced semiconductor manufacturing and supply will further expand in the United States, with Intel playing a critical role.”

    The investment provides validation for Intel, which has been overshadowed in recent years by competitors like Nvidia. It also reflects SoftBank’s renewed interest in the U.S., particularly around AI chips. SoftBank recently purchased a factory in Lordstown, Ohio, owned by Foxconn, as part of a plan to build AI data centers.

    Intel, steered by new CEO Lip-Bu Tan, is in the midst of a restructuring that aims to streamline the semiconductor business and focus on its core client and data center portfolio. Earlier this summer, Intel shuttered its automotive architecture business and laid off most of its staff. It also announced plans to reduce its Intel Foundry division workforce between 15% and 20%.

    Tan has also had to navigate political landmines in recent weeks as President Donald Trump called for his resignation due to conflicts of interest — an accusation that was made without evidence — and his administration reportedly had discussions to take a stake in Intel.

    The SoftBank-Intel deal comes just days after the Trump administration threatened new tariffs on imported semiconductor chips as part of his strategy to boost domestic production.

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    Tech and VC heavyweights join the Disrupt 2025 agenda

    Netflix, ElevenLabs, Wayve, Sequoia Capital, Elad Gil — just a few of the heavy hitters joining the Disrupt 2025 agenda. They’re here to deliver the insights that fuel startup growth and sharpen your edge. Don’t miss the 20th anniversary of TechCrunch Disrupt, and a chance to learn from the top voices in tech — grab your ticket now and save up to $600+ before prices rise.

    Tech and VC heavyweights join the Disrupt 2025 agenda

    Netflix, ElevenLabs, Wayve, Sequoia Capital — just a few of the heavy hitters joining the Disrupt 2025 agenda. They’re here to deliver the insights that fuel startup growth and sharpen your edge. Don’t miss the 20th anniversary of TechCrunch Disrupt, and a chance to learn from the top voices in tech — grab your ticket now and save up to $675 before prices rise.

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  • Will travelling outside the EU subject French to stricter tax audits?

    Will travelling outside the EU subject French to stricter tax audits?

    A viral video claiming that French people getting on a flight to a non-EU destination will be subjected to stricter tax controls has spurred outrage. However, this measure is nonexistent.

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    In a much-watched TikTok video, a French-speaking presenter claims that, as soon as a person boards an aeroplane from France to a country outside the European Union, they are signing up for an automatic tax audit upon their return. It is not clarified who exactly would be affected.
    “Starting on 1 September 2025, every traveller leaving the EU will be systematically reported to the French tax authorities via a new procedure,” the author of the video states.

    The system is referred to by the author as the DVAD (Dispositif de vérification automatique des déplacements, or Automatic Travel Verification System).
    The video claims the measure was introduced by the French Interior Ministry and announced by reputable French media BFM TV and Le Parisien, which reportedly said passport data will be cross-checked with income declarations and bank transactions upon return.
    If a discrepancy is detected between a person’s lifestyle and their tax forms, they will “receive a summons within 30 days to justify their income”. Failing to do so could lead to a €10,000 fine, an immediate tax adjustment, and loss of benefits.
    Those most targeted would be those who “hide cash”—”fraudsters stashing cash in Dubai or Morocco”; however, the author said even people on holiday will be affected.
    It then cites franceinfo, saying the well-known media organisation reported that more than 12 million French people could potentially be affected each year.

    The video, which has been viewed 1.5 million times, was posted on the TikTok account PassionMondialeFR. In the comments section, outrage prevails.
    “Welcome to the new North Korea,” one person said. Another user commented: “The next step is to give each person a counter to see how many hours they have breathed.” Others argued the state didn’t have the right to gather data in this way.
    However, the allegations made in this video are completely false.

    No official announcements

    No such measures have been announced by the Ministry of the Interior. Euroverify scoured its recent announcements, as well as those made on other ministry websites, and found no information related to these claims.The claims made in the video are false.The claims made in the video are false.
    TikTok/Euronews

    This false measure has also not been reported on by the French media cited in the video, nor by any other media organisation.
    Additionally, were such a measure to be introduced, it is unlikely it would come from the Ministry of the Interior. While it does oversee the National Directorate of Border Police (DNPAF), it has no jurisdiction over tax matters.
    Tax matters and audits are, instead, the responsibility of the Ministry of Economy and Finance. More specifically, they fall under the Directorate-General of Public Finances (DGFIP), which is the only authority competent for this type of measure in France.
    The Ministry of Economics and Finance, commonly referred to as Bercy in France, confirmed to Euroverify that the claims were incorrect and that the country has not introduced these measures.
    Additional proof can be found that the claims would not be legitimate when looking at other content shared by the same PassionMondialeFR account.
    Several videos feature AI-generated presenters. This was confirmed by AI detection tools. This trend of spreading fake news by using anchors who appear to have the same enthusiasm, energy and diction as real newsreaders, but are actually AI-generated, is becoming more widespread.
    Meanwhile, other videos published on the TikTok account claim that shopping for over €100 will have to be justified by low-income households, and that people in France can no longer withdraw more than €200 in cash per week without being automatically registered with the authorities.
    Online searches again showed that these are non-existent laws. Still, such messages are shared almost daily, and while some videos are watched a few thousand times, others have several hundred thousand or even over a million views.

  • Nvidia Eyes China Market with Powerful New AI Processor‎

    Nvidia Eyes China Market with Powerful New AI Processor‎

    China‑Ready Nvidia Chip on the Horizon

    Despite the swirling trade tensions, the world’s biggest chipmaker is still gunning to keep China in its growth plans. Nvidia is reportedly cooking up a new AI accelerator, B30A, tailored for the Chinese market. The gadget is slated to be half the punching power of the flagship B300 Blackwell GPU but still packs a punch over the H20 chips currently allowed to hit Chinese shelves.

    What’s the scoop on B30A?

    • Single‑die design – simpler structure than the dual‑die B300 line.
    • Matches H20 in key features: rapid data pipelines, NVLink support, and a high‑bandwidth memory stash.
    • Broader move – it’s a separate effort from another rumored chip Nvidia is brewing for China.

    Nvidia’s spokesperson shrugged off the chatter with a breezy statement:

    “We’re juggling a mix of products on our roadmap to stay ready for whatever governments allow. Every piece gets full regulatory thumbs‑up and is built purely for good‑dealing commercial use.”
    – Nvidia

    Skirting the Trump Back‑of‑the‑Envelope Policy

    The Trump administration recently eased restrictions on exporting high‑end AI chips to China, which drew flurry of industry chatter. Yet insiders say any approval for the B30A remains shrouded in uncertainty.

    Why China Still Matters, Even to the Rivalry Fanatics

    Critics scream that the U.S. must preserve its tech edge by jailing AI hardware notched for China. Nvidia, however, sees the market as a gold rush—and thinks letting competitors, like Huawei, mine the prize is a no‑go. It’s all about keeping the chips rolling.

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    Tech and VC heavyweights join the Disrupt 2025 agenda

    Netflix, ElevenLabs, Wayve, Sequoia Capital, Elad Gil — just a few of the heavy hitters joining the Disrupt 2025 agenda. They’re here to deliver the insights that fuel startup growth and sharpen your edge. Don’t miss the 20th anniversary of TechCrunch Disrupt, and a chance to learn from the top voices in tech — grab your ticket now and save up to $600+ before prices rise.

    Tech and VC heavyweights join the Disrupt 2025 agenda

    Netflix, ElevenLabs, Wayve, Sequoia Capital — just a few of the heavy hitters joining the Disrupt 2025 agenda. They’re here to deliver the insights that fuel startup growth and sharpen your edge. Don’t miss the 20th anniversary of TechCrunch Disrupt, and a chance to learn from the top voices in tech — grab your ticket now and save up to $675 before prices rise.

    Get Ready for the Epic SF Gathering – October 27‑29, 2025!

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