Luxury stores looted during protests

 

Isak Lundholm Larsson

 

Published 19.59

  

Vandalism and looting in Paris during Saturday’s protests. Photo: Carl Court / Getty

Luxury stores have been looted in connection with the protests in France.

In several cities, town halls have also been stormed.

“I demand answers, because I do not intend to let things remain as they are,” Marseille Mayor Benoît Payan told *Le Parisien*.

According to *Le Parisien*, the protests have spread to several of France’s major cities. Student associations report that 800,000 people participated on Saturday. In addition to students, various other groups are taking part in the protests, including the “Yellow Vests” and farmers.

Stormed the City Hall

In Marseille and Lille, town halls were stormed.

“I demand answers, because I do not intend to let things remain as they are. I want to know what happened. I want to know why people were able to vandalize property in this city with absolutely no risk of being held accountable,” Marseille Mayor Benoît Payan told *Le Parisien*.

Shops in Marseille have also been looted—including an Hermès boutique and a sports store, according to BFMTV.

The atmosphere is also tense in Bordeaux. Stores such as Louis Vuitton and Apple have been looted there, reports Actu17.

Luxury shops have also been looted in Paris, where 191 people have been arrested today, according to Le Parisien.

In Lyon, the city’s tourist office was looted and set on fire; according to authorities, 20,000 people took part in the protests there, reports BFMTV.

Tourist office set on fire

Paris official Emmanuel Grégoire has strongly condemned the vandalism. At the same time, he notes that the majority of the protesters are peaceful.

“This destruction distracts from the high school students’ demands and damages the image of their protests,” the official said, according to Le Parisien.

In total, 272 people have been arrested across the country today, according to Sky News.

Supreme Court in Tirana on fire

 

Elliot Morseth Edvinsson

 

Published 20:08 | Updated 20:25

 

Photo: Hameraldi Agolli / AP

The Supreme Court in Tirana is in flames.

Protesters are firing fireworks and throwing incendiary devices at the police.

Albania’s Supreme Court is in flames after protesters threw Molotov cocktails at the building, according to local media.

Student demonstrations have been raging in Albania since Wednesday, following the spread of the riots from France.

In addition to the Supreme Court, the fire has reportedly spread to the premises of the Bank of Albania. Emergency services are currently struggling to prevent the blaze from spreading further within the court’s "large storage area."

Clashes between police and protesters have reportedly been ongoing for several hours this Saturday evening.

Both police officers and protesters have allegedly sustained injuries. One Molotov cocktail reportedly exploded at the feet of a police officer; images show officers attempting to extinguish the flames on a policeman’s legs.

Meta accused of putting Lula at a disadvantage

 

TT-AP

 

Published 11.11

 

Brazilian President Lula da Silva holding the Constitution. The photo was taken in Brasília on Friday. Photo: Eraldo Peres/AP/TT

The tech giant Meta is accused of having influenced Brazil’s election campaign in favor of right-wing leader Flávio Bolsonaro.

The team behind left-wing President Lula da Silva has taken legal action against Meta in the country’s electoral court—and their complaint has been upheld. The court has ordered Meta to treat the two presidential candidates equally ahead of the election runoff on October 25.

Internal communications from Meta, leaked to the newspaper *Folha de S. Paulo*, lend some weight to these accusations. In them, employees acknowledge that accounts belonging to Lula’s campaign team were hindered on Instagram, while Flávio Bolsonaro’s channels were given greater visibility.

Meta denies any bias, stating that there are technical explanations for what occurred.

An investigation has also revealed that Meta allowed the publication of around a thousand political posts—some sponsored from abroad—even though, in Brazil, only politicians and political parties are permitted to run paid election advertising. 

President’s announcement: To step down as planned in 2030

 

TT

 

Published 13:33 | Updated 14:08

 

Egyptian President Abd al-Fattah al-Sisi. File photo. Photo: Julia Demaree Nikhinson / AP / TT

Egyptian President Abd al-Fattah al-Sisi announced on Saturday that he intends to leave the presidency in 2030.

Speaking at a graduation ceremony for military personnel, 71-year-old al-Sisi confirmed that he would abide by Egypt’s constitution regarding the duration of his time in power.

“Leaving the constitution unchanged is the right path to take. In 2030, my mandate as the country’s leader will come to an end—provided I am still alive.”

“The matter is settled, and it will not be discussed further,” al-Sisi told the state-owned newspaper *al-Ahram*.

In 2019, a constitutional amendment extended presidential terms in Egypt from four to six years. The revised law also allowed the president to run for re-election a third time. 

Outrage following brutal settler violence against diplomats

 

TT-AFP

 

Published 16:56 | Updated 18:18

          

       Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar condemns settler attack. File photo. Photo: Petr David Josek/             AP/TT

Israeli settlers have attacked vehicles traveling with diplomatic status in the West Bank. A French mayor, who was part of the convoy, was assaulted.

Israel’s Foreign Minister has condemned the “rioters,” while reactions from Europe have been sharp.

Details regarding the attack come from two diplomats and a witness who spoke to the news agency AFP. According to these accounts, the diplomatic convoy was traveling through Israeli-occupied territory when Israeli settlers attacked the vehicles.

The incident was captured on video, which shows 78-year-old French mayor Bernard Baudoux—from the town of Aulnoye-Aymeries—falling to the ground during the assault. According to diplomatic witnesses, his injuries were not life-threatening.

Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar has condemned the settlers’ attack, and Israeli police have been ordered to locate the perpetrators.

Strong reactions have also emerged from several European capitals.

Belgian Foreign Minister Maxime Prévot wrote on X that “impunity for violent settlers must end,” adding:

“These acts of violence cannot be separated from Israel’s illegal settlement policy. Belgium condemns the expansion of settlements and attempts to forcibly remove Palestinians from their land.”

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