French President Emmanuel Macron announced a plan on Sunday for an additional €6.5 billion in military spending over the next two years, citing what he described as "a greater threat" to freedom in Europe than at any point since World War II.

French President Macron denounces the allegations as ‘false information’ and a violation of personal privacy.

For the special public occasion, Brigitte Macron wore a white coatdress with black lines added throughout and black buttons running down the front placket opposite a line of black. The black details on the coatdress included lining on the sharp collar, cuffs and at the waist, with outlined hip pockets featuring subtle black bows.

Macron called for a 3.5 billion-euro hike in defense spending next year and for another 3 billion-euro boost in 2027.

France is giving more autonomy to the South Pacific territory of New Caledonia. But a wide-ranging agreement stops short of granting it independence. HPR’s Derrick Malama has more in the Pacific News Minute.

France had aimed to double its defence budget from 2017 levels by 2030. However, Macron pledged to reach the target by 2027. A military budget that stood at 32 billion euros ($37.40 billion) in 2017 will rise to 64 billion euros by 2027, with an additional 3.5 billion euros allocated for next year and another 3 billion euros in 2027.

President Emmanuel Macron said France will make a “new” and “historic” effort to increase defense spending to counter an acceleration of threats to freedom in Europe and the risk of outright war in the coming years.

Brigitte Macron has no plans to divorce her husband, President Emmanuel Macron, before his presidency concludes in May 2027.

French President Emmanuel Macron is no longer expected to attend the upcoming UN conference on the recognition of a Palestinian state, according to sources on Tuesday.Macron encountered strong opposition from the British and Canadian governments,