US President Donald Trump has blamed mass migration and Islam for France’s nationwide school protests, rejecting the view that the unrest is primarily about education. More than 250,000 people demonstrated across France on Tuesday, with students, teachers and parents demanding better funding, improved school facilities and more staff. Protests began in September and have included school blockades, class boycotts and occasional clashes with police. Trump claimed the demonstrations reflected uncontrolled migration and an alleged attempt by Islam to take over France, but provided no evidence linking the school movement to religious demands. French officials have focused on education, policing and public spending concerns. (PC: Reuters)

More than 250,000 students, teachers and parents demonstrated across France on October 6, demanding better funding and improved conditions in high schools. Protesters are calling for more teachers, smaller classes, repairs to deteriorating school buildings and shorter school days. Hundreds of schools were blockaded or closed, disrupting classes nationwide. While many demonstrations remained peaceful, clashes erupted in Paris and other cities, with police using tear gas and batons. Nearly 500 people were arrested and 43 police officers injured, according to authorities. The protests have also raised concerns over alleged excessive police force and placed growing pressure on Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu’s government. (PC: AFP)

Saudi Arabia has strongly condemned a series of Houthi missile and drone attacks targeting sites across the Kingdom. The Houthis claimed they struck King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh, an Aramco refinery in Rabigh, Abha Airport and military facilities in southern Saudi Arabia. The group said the attacks were retaliation for Saudi strikes in Yemen. Saudi authorities condemned what they described as continued attacks against civilian and economic infrastructure and reaffirmed the Kingdom’s right to defend its territory and citizens. Riyadh also accused the Houthis of undermining efforts toward a political settlement in Yemen and called for stronger international action against the group. 

A Ukrainian drone attack set fire to the Liberian-flagged oil tanker Aframax Rio off Russia’s Black Sea coast near Sochi on October 6. Russia’s Transport Ministry said the vessel was struck by “naval drones,” causing crude oil to burn and producing thick black smoke. The tanker carried 23 crew members, all Indian nationals, who were rescued safely; reports initially differed on whether any crew member was injured. Firefighters faced difficulties controlling the intense blaze, while authorities restricted access to nearby beaches. The incident highlights growing risks to commercial shipping in the Black Sea amid escalating Russia-Ukraine attacks. 

Police used tear gas in Paris and Marseille and water cannon in Rennes on Tuesday as school protests in France grew into a nationwide movement. The government said over 250,000 people marched and 891 high schools were disrupted; student unions claimed 450,000 and 1,800 blockades. Students are demanding more school funding, citing overcrowded classrooms, teacher shortages and crumbling buildings. Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu said 215 students, 85 staff and 715 police officers have been injured since the protests began. Police have stopped or arrested 6,547 people since September 28, and the CGT union has called for more protests on Thursday. (PC: BBC)

Israeli singer Ben Raivitz has performed the Hanuman Chalisa and offered prayers for the speedy recovery of Captain Smit Machchhar, the Flydubai pilot praised for his actions during a recent cockpit emergency. A 38-second video of the tribute, published on October 6, has drawn attention on social media, with many viewers pointing to its message of solidarity across cultures. People from across India and abroad continue to send wishes and prayers for the pilot's recovery. The report did not give details about the emergency or about Captain Machchhar's current condition. (PC: X)

Bangladesh Prime Minister’s information adviser Zahed Ur Rahman said reconciliation with the disbanded Awami League is “not a bad idea,” but the party must acknowledge responsibility for its actions and engage with its top leadership before talks can begin. He said mediators should reach out to the Awami League and establish basic grounds for reconciliation through discussions with its leadership. However, Zahed said conditions remain absent because the party has shown no “remorse” for the violent crackdown during the 2024 mass protests that toppled Sheikh Hasina’s government. Hasina fled to India, while an interim government led by Muhammad Yunus took charge. The current BNP government had previously dismissed the Awami League as politically irrelevant, with leaders ruling out its return to politics. (PC: AFP)

A 24-year-old Sri Lankan migrant worker, Anojan Sivarasa, is facing a possible death penalty in Saudi Arabia after an appellate court reportedly found him guilty of blasphemy over a Facebook comment allegedly insulting Prophet Muhammad. The case followed a June video linked to a Hindu pilgrimage in Sri Lanka. After a user insulted a Hindu deity, Anojan reportedly responded in Tamil with an insult against the Prophet, then deleted the comment and apologised. A screenshot was allegedly shared with his Saudi employer, leading to his arrest. An Al-Ahsa court initially sentenced him to five years and fined him three million Saudi riyals, but prosecutors later sought a Sharia trial, paving the way for a death sentence. Sri Lanka is seeking clemency. (PC: Pexel)

Saudi Arabia’s failure to rein in Iran-backed Houthis has exposed weaknesses in its decades-long policy of outsourcing national security to the United States and Pakistan, West Asia expert Prof. Alvite Ningthoujam said. American fighter jets and personnel had provided a security guarantee, while Pakistan supported the kingdom through military deployments and agreements dating back to the 1960s. Despite formalising their alliance through a mutual defence agreement in 2025 and the Mecca Agreement this year, neither country came to Saudi Arabia’s aid during the Houthi offensive. Ningthoujam said Riyadh became complacent, believing it could “buy security,” while focusing more on internal dissent than external defence. He said the kingdom’s security policy collapsed. (PC: Win McNamee/Getty Images/AFP)

The Ministry of Defence on Tuesday signed a ₹661.5 crore contract with BrahMos Aerospace Private Limited to buy BrahMos fire control systems and launchers for Indian Navy ships. The deal was signed under the Buy (Indian-IDDM) category in the presence of Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh. It requires at least 68% indigenous content, with Indian industries, including MSMEs, taking part. The ministry said the project is expected to create jobs over the next three years. The systems will strengthen the maritime strike capability of frontline warships. The contract follows the Defence Acquisition Council's August 2025 approval for the equipment. (PC: X)