French President Emmanuel Macron has rejected Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez’s resignation following widespread riots and looting across France, as protests over rising living costs and poor public services continue to fuel unrest across Europe.   At least 2,400 people were arrested in France after violent clashes damaged businesses and public buildings. Macron has ordered a review of security failures and called for new policing measures.   Protests have also spread to Italy, Portugal and Belgium, with demonstrators demanding affordable housing, higher wages and better public services. In Albania, protesters are targeting alleged corruption and unemployment, adding to pressure on European governments. (PC: India Today)

French Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez has admitted that police “lost control” in some cities during a weekend of riots and looting. He blamed a lack of preparation and offered to resign, but President Emmanuel Macron asked him to stay. More than 500,000 people took to the streets across France on Saturday to protest against the high cost of living. Demonstrations turned violent in several areas, with buildings set on fire and shops looted. Disorder continued in Paris on Sunday, where police arrested more than 350 people. The French cabinet is holding an emergency meeting to discuss the unrest. (PC: BBC)

An Austrian Airlines flight from Tel Aviv to Vienna made an emergency landing in Sofia, Bulgaria, on Sunday, October 18, after a reported bomb threat. Flight OS82, an Airbus A320, was carrying 51 passengers and 6 crew members when the threat was reported near the Bulgarian-Romanian border. The Bulgarian Air Force deployed a MiG-29 fighter jet to escort the aircraft to Sofia airport, according to reports citing Bulgarian authorities. The plane landed safely, and passengers were taken off the aircraft. Austrian Airlines said a security search was underway and passengers would be rebooked after the inspection. Authorities have launched an investigation. (PC: India Today)

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has warned the United States and Israel against renewed military action, declaring that Iran has “unfinished jobs too.” Responding to US President Donald Trump’s post endorsing Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ahead of upcoming elections, Araghchi said Iran had emerged “even stronger” the last time Washington issued an ultimatum to “finish the job.” In a post on X, he challenged both countries to try again, writing: “Want to try your luck again? Be our guest. But be careful; we have unfinished jobs too.” His remarks followed Netanyahu’s pledge to “eliminate the Iranian threat,” amid renewed concerns over potential conflict involving Tehran, Washington and Israel. (PC: X)

Russian President Vladimir Putin has proposed a summit with US President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping to discuss ending the Ukraine war, The Wall Street Journal reported. Putin floated the idea during an October 9 call with Trump, which also produced a Russian diesel deal. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov confirmed discussions but said the meeting and its agenda remained uncertain. The proposal comes amid concerns that Trump is pressuring Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to accept Putin’s terms, pausing Russian energy tariffs and suspending intelligence-sharing with Ukraine. The summit could occur alongside the November 18–19 Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit in Shenzhen, China. Kyiv and European partners oppose agreements excluding Ukraine. (PC: X)

Milan police fired tear gas and used water cannons on Sunday as protests over poor public services and rising living costs turned violent for a second consecutive day. Several hundred hooded demonstrators gathered near Piazza Duomo, smashing shop windows, looting stores, throwing stones and setting rubbish bins on fire. Reuters reported that more than 60 protesters were taken to police stations for further checks. Saturday’s clashes across Milan, Bologna, Brescia, Bergamo and Turin resulted in 28 arrests, according to a police report released Sunday. The unrest echoed recent demonstrations in France, where hundreds of thousands protested rising costs and declining public services. President Emmanuel Macron condemned looting and vandalism.

French President Emmanuel Macron vowed strict action after nationwide cost-of-living protests in France turned violent, leaving two people dead and hundreds injured. Addressing the nation, he said “nothing can justify, explain or excuse violence” while promising transparency over the police response. Macron distinguished peaceful protesters with legitimate demands from rioters accused of looting, vandalism and arson. Authorities reported around 550,000 participants nationwide. Police used tear gas and stun grenades in Paris. A police officer died in Nantes after being struck by a vehicle, while a protester died near Paris. Investigations into both deaths are ongoing, as businesses and public buildings suffered extensive damage across multiple cities during one of France’s worst.

Bangladesh’s former air force chief, Sheikh Abdul Hannan, was arrested in Qatar on October 15 over corruption allegations filed against him at home, officials said Sunday. Bangladesh’s Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) alleged that the retired air chief marshal accumulated assets worth more than Tk 3.28 crore beyond his known sources of income and conducted suspicious transactions totalling Tk 27.63 crore through six personal bank accounts. ACC Deputy Director Md Akhtarul Islam said the watchdog learned of Hannan’s detention through an email from Interpol. The arrest comes amid an investigation into alleged unexplained assets, questionable financial transactions and suspected offshore wealth. The charges remain allegations. (PC: X)

French President Emmanuel Macron has called for “calm and order” after protests over rising fuel prices, living costs and declining public services escalated into riots and looting. Around 550,000 people joined demonstrations across France on Saturday, while police arrested about 2,400 people, according to the Interior Ministry. Rioters set fires, damaged shops and attacked public buildings in several cities, including Paris, Marseille and Limoges. A historic town hall in Limoges was gutted by fire. Clashes and looting continued on a smaller scale on Sunday as authorities promised tighter security and a transparent review of the police response.   (PC: BBC)

Russian President Vladimir Putin has proposed a trilateral meeting with US President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping next month to discuss ending the Ukraine war. According to a Wall Street Journal report, the meeting could take place during the APEC summit in Shenzhen, China, on November 18–19. However, Trump has not agreed to the proposal, and the Kremlin said the meeting’s agenda remains unclear. The proposed talks could exclude Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and European leaders, raising concerns over their role in negotiations. The summit remains unconfirmed as discussions continue. (PC: HT)