Le Pen cleared to run, Khamenei funeral, Mbappé scores wonder goal

Marine Le Pen, the leader of France’s far‑right National Rally, was cleared to stand in next year’s presidential election after a court upheld her embezzlement conviction but ruled that the penalty did not bar her from running. The decision, announced on Thursday, comes amid a week that also saw Iran hold days‑long funeral ceremonies for the late Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, and football stars Kylian Mbappé and Lionel Messi deliver decisive performances that propelled their teams into the World Cup semi‑finals. France 24 has highlighted the week’s most striking images, from the solemn mourning in Tehran to the jubilant celebrations on the pitch.

The ruling on Le Pen’s candidacy underscores the French judiciary’s stance that a criminal conviction does not automatically disqualify a candidate, a point that has drawn both domestic and international scrutiny. Meanwhile, Iran’s elaborate tribute to Khamenei reflected the nation’s reverence for its former leader, while Mbappé and Messi’s standout displays—Mbappé’s late goal against Argentina and Messi’s hat‑trick against the United States—captured the imagination of football fans worldwide. Together, these events illustrate the diverse array of political, cultural, and sporting narratives that defined the week.