Europe

Thousands of French police officers protested in Paris on Tuesday, led by the Alliance Police Nationale union. Concerns over working conditions, staff shortages, and stagnant allowances are driving demands for increased funding of up to €500 million annually to address these issues. Authorities have shown signs of responsiveness following the demonstrations.

Russian attacks across Ukraine have killed at least five people and injured over 12 in the last 24 hours. Strikes targeted Kyiv, Kherson, Zaporizhzhia Oblast, and Sloviansk, while Ukraine’s military reported successful counteroffensive operations near Lyman, clearing an area of approximately 75 square kilometres.

On June 27, 17-year-old Nahel was killed by a police officer. The incident sparked riots across France. The urban violence lasted almost a week and was the worst the country had seen in nearly twenty years. Nanterre, the Paris suburb where Nahel was from and where he was killed, was the epicentre. Northwest of Paris, it was already well-known for being a deprived neighbourhood. During the riots it became associated with images of smashed windows, burnt-out cars, and youths throwing fireworks at the police. But there’s a lot more to Nanterre than that. The town’s inhabitants found a strong community spirit, pride in Nanterre’s notorious tower blocks and a deep desire not to be known as a downtrodden place to live. FRANCE 24’s Claire Paccalin and David Gilberg report.

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