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)

A historic town hall in Limoges, France, has suffered extensive damage after a fire broke out during violent protests over the rising cost of living. Built in 1883, the landmark was described as “largely lost” by local officials after its roof collapsed and around two-thirds of its exterior was destroyed. Local prefect Maurice Barate called the incident a deliberate act of arson. More than 500,000 people joined demonstrations across France on Saturday, with around 400 arrests reported. Violence and attacks on public buildings were reported in several cities, prompting police to use tear gas and water cannons in Paris.  

Four service members have died and dozens of others have been seriously injured in a major fire at Canadian Forces Base Wainwright, Prime Minister Mark Carney said. The fire broke out at around 4 pm local time on Saturday at one of Canada’s busiest military training bases. Carney described the incident as one of the worst peacetime tragedies for the country’s military. The fire has been contained, but rescue teams remain at the scene to prevent further flare-ups. Defence officials said there were no initial indications of terrorist involvement. Investigations into the cause are underway. (PC: BBC)

France witnessed widespread violence on October 17 as nationwide protests against rising living costs, inflation and declining public services escalated into clashes with police. Around 550,000 people participated, according to the Interior Ministry, while organisers estimated 800,000. Nearly 1,800 people were arrested, and more than 500 police officers and emergency personnel were injured. Shops were looted in Paris, Marseille and other cities, while Limoges’ historic town hall was severely damaged by fire. President Emmanuel Macron condemned the violence. The unrest began with student grievances over poor school conditions and teacher shortages. 

France faced widespread damage on Sunday after protests over rising fuel prices, living costs and poor public services turned violent in several cities. Around 550,000 people joined Saturday’s demonstrations, most of which were peaceful, while police arrested about 1,800 people. Rioters set vehicles and buildings on fire, looted shops and clashed with police in Paris, Marseille and Lille. More than 500 police officers, gendarmes and firefighters were injured, the interior ministry said. The Retail and Trade Federation reported damage to around 1,500 shops and retailers. Fires also damaged public buildings in Lyon and Limoges. (PC: BBC)