International News
France Police Arrest Hundreds In Fifth Night Of Riots
The French government announced on Sunday that additional arrests had been made during a fifth consecutive night of riots triggered by the fatal shooting of a 17-year-old by the police.
As tensions escalated, law enforcement authorities dispatched extra personnel to cities across the country that had become hotspots for unrest.
The demonstrators, primarily consisting of underage individuals, have set cars on fire, caused damage to infrastructure, and engaged in confrontations with the police, expressing their deep-seated anger following the officer’s point-blank shooting of Nahel M. during an attempt to escape a traffic stop on Tuesday.
The incident, which was captured on video and widely shared on social media, has intensified public outrage over police violence targeting minority communities, revealing the significant racial tensions prevalent in France.
In the aftermath of Nahel’s funeral in his hometown near Paris, the interior ministry reported that the police had conducted 719 arrests overnight, although this number is still considered a preliminary count. It follows a previous night where approximately 1,300 arrests were made.
According to official reports, a total of 45 police officers or gendarmes sustained injuries during the unrest.
Additionally, there were 577 vehicles set ablaze, 74 buildings deliberately ignited, and 871 fires intentionally started in streets and other public areas.
Although the nationwide figures indicated a general decrease in tensions throughout the country, law enforcement authorities still documented several incidents that occurred during the period.
The mayor of a town located south of Paris reported that rioters had deliberately crashed a car into his residence, resulting in injuries to his wife and one of his children. Furthermore, the assailants set a fire at the scene.
“Last night the horror and disgrace reached a new level,” said the mayor, Vincent Jeanbrun, while prosecutors said they were investigating the incident for attempted murder.
A considerable force of 45,000 police officers was deployed throughout France, mirroring the previous night’s deployment. Additional backup was sent to the areas that had experienced riots in the preceding days, such as Lyon, Grenoble, and Marseille.
Within this total number, 7,000 officers were concentrated in Paris and its surrounding suburbs, with particular attention paid to securing the iconic tourist destination, the Champs Elysees avenue in central Paris, as there were calls on social media to bring the unrest to the heart of the capital.
The significant presence of law enforcement personnel proved instrumental in maintaining control over the situation, according to Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin.
“A calmer night thanks to the resolute action of the security forces,” he tweeted early Sunday.
In Marseille, a city that has witnessed severe clashes and looting during the recent unrest, police took action to disperse groups of youths on Saturday evening along Canebiere, the main avenue in the city center, as reported by AFP journalists.
In response to the escalating situation, several towns have declared overnight curfews to curb the violence and maintain public safety.
The ongoing protests have become a new crisis for President Emmanuel Macron, who had been striving to proceed with his second term after successfully navigating through months of protests that erupted in January, primarily concerning the proposed increase in the pensions age.
The gravity of the situation was further highlighted when President Macron made the decision to postpone his state visit to Germany, originally scheduled to begin on Sunday, in order to address the domestic issues arising from the unrest.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has released a disturbing update on the escalating conflict involving the United States, Israel, and Iran, revealing that thousands of people have been killed or injured in just under two weeks.
WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus warned that health systems across the Middle East are under “immense strain” and are at risk of complete collapse if the crisis continues.
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According to WHO reports, Iran has suffered over 1,300 deaths and around 9,000 injuries, while Lebanon has recorded at least 570 deaths and approximately 1,400 injuries.
In Israel, at least 15 people have died and more than 2,100 have been injured since hostilities escalated.
The conflict began on February 28, following a massive joint strike by US and Israeli forces that targeted top Iranian officials, including the country’s Supreme Leader.
The violence has since spread across the region, with retaliatory attacks targeting Israeli sites and US military bases in neighboring countries.
The humanitarian impact is severe. Over 100,000 Iranians and up to 700,000 Lebanese citizens have been displaced, many living in overcrowded conditions with limited access to clean water, sanitation, and medical care.
The WHO warns that these conditions put women and children at particular risk of disease outbreaks.
The organization also highlighted a growing trend of attacks on healthcare infrastructure, reporting dozens of strikes on hospitals and medical facilities across Iran and Lebanon.
Such attacks have not only resulted in deaths but also deprived entire communities of critical medical care when they need it most.
Tedros emphasized the urgent need for all parties to respect international law and protect civilians, calling for unimpeded humanitarian access and immediate measures to prevent the collapse of fragile health systems.
With the conflict continuing to escalate, the WHO has stressed that immediate action is required to protect lives, ensure medical support reaches affected populations, and prevent the humanitarian crisis from worsening.
Portugal officially inaugurated its new president, Antonio Jose Seguro, on Monday, pledging to bring stability to a nation shaken by political uncertainty and natural disasters.
Seguro, the centre-left candidate, won last month’s presidential run-off against far-right rival Andre Ventura, following weeks of catastrophic storms that killed at least seven people and caused approximately €4 billion ($4.6 billion) in damage.
Speaking at his swearing-in ceremony in Lisbon’s parliament, Seguro emphasized cooperation with the minority right-wing government and vowed to end the country’s “electoral frenzy.”
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“I will do everything I can to put an end to this electoral frenzy,” he said, pointing to the inability of previous governments to complete their terms.
Amid global crises, including conflicts in the Middle East and a more isolationist US approach under President Donald Trump, Seguro stressed the importance of multilateralism.
“The force of law has been replaced by the power of the strongest,” he remarked.
Seguro succeeds Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, a conservative who leaves office at 77 after serving two five-year terms.
While the Portuguese presidency is largely ceremonial, Seguro’s leadership signals a commitment to political stability and international engagement.
The war involving the United States, Israel and Iran intensified on its fourth day Tuesday, with fresh explosions reported in Tehran, missile interceptions over Jerusalem, and rising tensions spreading across Lebanon and Gulf states.
AFP journalists in Tehran reported loud blasts across several parts of the Iranian capital, though officials did not immediately confirm the exact targets.
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The conflict began over the weekend after coordinated US and Israeli strikes reportedly killed Iran’s Supreme Leader, triggering retaliatory attacks across the region.
Iran Appeals to UN
Iran called on the United Nations Security Council to intervene and halt the war. Foreign ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei said the council had a responsibility to act, insisting there were no legal obstacles preventing immediate action.
Oil Surges as Hormuz Disrupted
Global oil prices spiked amid fears of supply disruption, particularly as the strategic Strait of Hormuz — a crucial oil shipping route — was effectively closed.
Brent crude rose more than eight percent to $85.12 per barrel, its highest level since mid-2024. Meanwhile, precious metals fell sharply, with gold dropping over four percent and silver plunging more than 12 percent as investors shifted toward energy and the US dollar.
Iran Issues Fresh Threats
Iran’s Revolutionary Guards warned of intensified attacks on US forces and Israeli targets.
A spokesman vowed that “continuous punitive attacks” would follow, declaring that the “gates of hell” would open against both nations.
Israeli Troops Advance in Lebanon
Israeli ground forces reportedly advanced into areas near Kfar Kila and the Khiam plains along the Lebanon border.
Israel said the move was aimed at creating a buffer zone to protect its northern communities.
The escalation has displaced at least 30,000 people in Lebanon, according to the UN refugee agency.
Nuclear Site Damaged
The International Atomic Energy Agency confirmed that Iran’s Natanz Fuel Enrichment Plant sustained recent damage to entrance buildings at its underground facility. However, the agency said no radiological consequences were expected.
Gulf Capitals, US Embassy Hit
Explosions were also reported in Manama and Doha as Iranian strikes continued into a fourth day.
In the UAE, drone debris sparked a fire in an oil zone in Fujairah, though authorities said the blaze was contained.
Two drones reportedly struck the US embassy in Riyadh, causing a fire. Saudi officials condemned the attack as unjustified.
Tech Infrastructure Targeted
US tech giant Amazon confirmed that two of its data centres in the UAE were directly hit by drones, disrupting cloud services in parts of the Middle East. A nearby facility in Bahrain was also damaged.
Global Reactions
US President Donald Trump criticised UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer over disagreements on the use of British military bases, saying relations were “not like they used to be.”
France deployed Rafale fighter jets to protect its bases in the UAE, while China urged all sides to ensure safety in the Strait of Hormuz and called for an immediate ceasefire.
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