Fake French coup videos go viral, traced to Burkinabé student

A French court has sentenced Carole Sun, a 30-year-old woman repatriated from Syrian camps holding Islamic State members, to 10 years in prison for terrorist conspiracy. Sun left France for Syria in 2014 and was arrested by Kurdish forces in 2017 as the Islamic State was collapsing. This case highlights the ongoing legal and societal challenges faced by individuals returning from conflict zones.

The signing of the EU-Mercosur free trade agreement has been postponed to January, as announced by EU chief Ursula von der Leyen during a summit in Brussels. This decision follows demands from Italy and France for a delay, primarily to seek additional protections for their farming sectors, disrupting the European Commission's plans to finalize the deal this week.

Facebook is testing a new system that charges users for sharing web links, limiting those without a paid Meta Verified subscription to just two external links per month. This trial raises concerns among news organizations that rely on social media for content distribution, as it could significantly hinder their reach and engagement.

The signing of the EU-Mercosur trade pact has been postponed, as announced by Ursula von der Leyen to EU leaders. This delay comes amid rising tensions and protests, particularly from French farmers who are concerned about the implications of the deal on local agriculture.

French police conducted searches at the home and offices of Culture Minister Rachida Dati as part of a corruption investigation linked to her role in the European Parliament. This action comes as Dati is also facing trial next year for separate allegations of corruption and abuse of power.

Representatives from Israel and Lebanon, along with officials from the US, France, and the UN, are set to convene for a second meeting focused on establishing a ceasefire amid ongoing tensions in the region. This meeting follows a series of military escalations, particularly Israel's intensified operations in southern Lebanon.

Thousands of farmers from France and Belgium gathered in Brussels to protest against the EU's Mercosur trade deal and various regulations that they believe threaten their livelihoods. The protests were intensified by the government's decision to cull cattle in response to outbreaks of lumpy skin disease, which farmers argue is an inadequate solution to the crisis.

Farmers in France have blocked roads in protest against the EU-Mercosur trade deal, fearing that an influx of cheaper agricultural products from Brazil and its neighbors will undermine their livelihoods. This protest coincides with an EU leaders meeting where the deal is set to be discussed.