Europe

French President Emmanuel Macron condemned recent riots and looting across major cities, asserting that those responsible for the unrest will be held accountable. He urged politicians to reject violence and highlighted the distinction between peaceful protests and chaotic actions amid heightened tensions ahead of next year’s presidential election.

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Pope Leo XIV led the Angelus prayer in St Peter’s Square on Sunday, following his discharge from hospital after lung surgery for a pulmonary adenocarcinoma. The Pontiff expressed gratitude to supporters and doctors, indicating he will gradually resume activities, including a planned trip to Latin America in November.

French President Macron pledged to hold accountable all individuals who incited recent chaos, reinforcing the commitment to justice for the crimes committed. Prime Minister Lecornu highlighted the unsustainability of using limited public funds to address the ongoing damage caused by vandalism.

On June 6, 1944, D-Day marked a pivotal moment in World War II as nearly 160,000 Allied troops landed in Normandy, France, initiating Operation Overlord. This year, the 82nd anniversary was commemorated by veterans and officials, honouring those who fought to liberate Western Europe from Nazi occupation.

US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth emphasised that Europe “must be the first to provide for its own conventional defence” during D-Day commemorations in Normandy. He urged allies, particularly France, to demonstrate commitment to strengthening their defences amid a backdrop of reducing US troop presence in Europe.

A court in Mali has sentenced a French embassy official to 20 years in prison on charges of espionage and undermining state security. The official, detained since August 2025, faces a €5,400 fine and a ban on entering Mali, escalating tensions between the military-led government and France.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy extended an invitation for a direct meeting with Vladimir Putin, proposing a “full ceasefire” in an open letter. This marks a rare direct appeal since Russia’s invasion in 2022, aiming to resolve the conflict through personal engagement.

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