Macron’s ‘Top Gun’ Shades Charm Internet as Leaders Wrangle Over Greenland

 French President Emmanuel Macron, wearing sunglasses, speaks during a meeting on the institutional future of New Caledonia at the Elysee Palace in Paris, France, January 16, 2026. (Reuters)
French President Emmanuel Macron, wearing sunglasses, speaks during a meeting on the institutional future of New Caledonia at the Elysee Palace in Paris, France, January 16, 2026. (Reuters)
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Macron’s ‘Top Gun’ Shades Charm Internet as Leaders Wrangle Over Greenland

 French President Emmanuel Macron, wearing sunglasses, speaks during a meeting on the institutional future of New Caledonia at the Elysee Palace in Paris, France, January 16, 2026. (Reuters)
French President Emmanuel Macron, wearing sunglasses, speaks during a meeting on the institutional future of New Caledonia at the Elysee Palace in Paris, France, January 16, 2026. (Reuters)

French President Emmanuel Macron's aviator sunglasses have caught the eye, with social media users debating his choice of a "Top Gun" look as he criticized US President Donald Trump over Greenland during his speech in Davos.

As he spoke at the annual World Economic Forum in the Swiss mountain resort of Davos on Tuesday, the French president wore dark, reflective sunglasses.

Memes, comments and speculation over his appearance surged on social media, with some supporters praising him for his "Top Gun" look while opponents dismissed it as bombastic or speculated ‌about his ‌health.

Macron's office said the choice to ‌wear ⁠sunglasses during his ‌speech, which took place indoors, was to protect his eyes because of a burst blood vessel.

One meme, with the headline "Duel in Davos," was styled like a Top Gun parody, with Macron and Trump eyeballing each other, both wearing military-style flight suits, and Macron, looking very small next to Trump, sporting oversized aviator sunglasses.

References to the ⁠1986 movie starring Tom Cruise were ubiquitous.

"Trump: be careful ... Macron is here," one social ‌media user said on X, with a ‍picture of the French ‍president with the aviator glasses. "Could he not find some more sober ‍glasses?" another user asked.

Even Trump weighed in, mocking Macron for his glasses in his own Davos speech on Wednesday.

Meanwhile, some of Macron's colleagues had gotten in on the act, with European Affairs Minister Benjamin Haddad posting a version of the "Soyboy vs Yes Chad" meme with Chad donning aviators and draped in a French flag.

Italian ⁠group iVision Tech, which owns Henry Jullien, said the model worn by Macron was its Pacific S 01, with a price tag of 659 euros ($770) on its website. It said it sent Macron the sunglasses as a gift but that he had insisted on paying for them, and made sure they were made in France.

The Milan-listed stock was up almost 6% on Wednesday.

"The news this morning came as a surprise," the group's chief executive Stefano Fulchir said. "We were flooded with calls and requests on the ‌website ... The site crashed."



Turaif Governorate Adorned in Green in Preparation for Saudi National Day

The governorate is also hosting a diverse array of national, cultural, and artistic events - SPA
The governorate is also hosting a diverse array of national, cultural, and artistic events - SPA
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Turaif Governorate Adorned in Green in Preparation for Saudi National Day

The governorate is also hosting a diverse array of national, cultural, and artistic events - SPA
The governorate is also hosting a diverse array of national, cultural, and artistic events - SPA

Turaif Governorate in Northern Borders Region has been adorned in green in preparation for Saudi National Day.

The municipality showcased its preparations by decorating the streets with flags and green lighting, SPA reported.

The governorate is also hosting a diverse array of national, cultural, and artistic events, combining patriotic performances and entertainment programs with activities tailored for families and children.


Green Riyadh Launches Tree-Planting and Cleanup Campaign

File photo of the Saudi capital Riyadh - File/AAWSAT
File photo of the Saudi capital Riyadh - File/AAWSAT
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Green Riyadh Launches Tree-Planting and Cleanup Campaign

File photo of the Saudi capital Riyadh - File/AAWSAT
File photo of the Saudi capital Riyadh - File/AAWSAT

Green Riyadh, one of the programs overseen by the Royal Commission for Riyadh City, has launched a tree-planting and cleanup campaign at Shuaib Umm Qasr to coincide with Saudi National Day celebrations, the Saudi Press Agency said Sunday.

The campaign will be held on September 23 from 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. and is open to male and female volunteers from all segments of society. Participants will receive volunteer certificates in recognition of their active contributions to environmental service.

The initiative aims to attract volunteers to participate in tree planting and cleanup activities, thereby promoting community engagement and a culture of volunteerism while supporting national efforts to protect the environment and achieve sustainability.


82-year-old Dies after Beach Fight in Greece over Sun Lounger

Tourists from a nearby hotel watch military helicopters fly overhead during Medusa 15, a joint military exercise led by Greece and Egypt, at Maleme on the Greek island of Crete, Friday, Sept. 18, 2026. (AP Photo/Thanassis Stavrakis)
Tourists from a nearby hotel watch military helicopters fly overhead during Medusa 15, a joint military exercise led by Greece and Egypt, at Maleme on the Greek island of Crete, Friday, Sept. 18, 2026. (AP Photo/Thanassis Stavrakis)
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82-year-old Dies after Beach Fight in Greece over Sun Lounger

Tourists from a nearby hotel watch military helicopters fly overhead during Medusa 15, a joint military exercise led by Greece and Egypt, at Maleme on the Greek island of Crete, Friday, Sept. 18, 2026. (AP Photo/Thanassis Stavrakis)
Tourists from a nearby hotel watch military helicopters fly overhead during Medusa 15, a joint military exercise led by Greece and Egypt, at Maleme on the Greek island of Crete, Friday, Sept. 18, 2026. (AP Photo/Thanassis Stavrakis)

An 82-year-old man died Sunday after he got into a fight over a sun lounger on a beach in Greece near Athens, local media reported.

The octogenarian had a dispute with a 76-year-old man and a 21-year-old woman over the sun lounger, with the argument degenerating into a scuffle between the two men, according to police, the ANA news agency and ERT state television channel reported.

The 82-year-old, badly hurt, was transported to hospital from the Vouliagmeni beach resort area where the argument broke out. He was later declared dead at the hospital, AFP said.

Both the 76-year-old man and the 21-year-old woman were arrested, ANA said, with police investigating what happened.