News about France: events, facts and developments on tafs uz.
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After Saturday's riots involving more than half a million participants across France, authorities are introducing heightened security measures: the number of police on the streets will rise by 20% compared with last weekend. Luxury stores in Paris are boarding up windows, and retailers are assessing the damage — Carrefour has warned of a possible hit to profit of up to €200 million.
Sevara AzamovaA video spread on social media showing several police vans outside the Jean Trogneux chocolate shop in Amiens, owned by the family of France's First Lady. The footage was filmed on the evening of October 17 amid a wave of protests and riots. Politician Nicolas Dupont-Aignan accused the authorities of a selective approach to the security of business owners.
Javlon TursunovAmid the scandal surrounding Télesphore Orléane and debates over AI among Goncourt Prize finalists, France has launched the Prix Pascal de Littérature IA, openly encouraging the use of AI in writing books. Participants must submit a manuscript and a technical dossier describing the algorithmic assistance. The 2026 winner will be announced in mid-December; there is no cash prize — help with publication is promised instead.
Javlon TursunovFrench authorities reported the first documented case of human infection with the Shamonda virus (SHAV), previously considered non-transmissible to humans. A patient with severe immunodeficiency, treated in Lyon, died in early October; infection is presumed to have occurred through a biting midge bite in eastern France. WHO and ECDC are investigating and assess the risk to the population as low.
Sevara AzamovaFollowing talks between Qatar's Emir Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani and French President Emmanuel Macron in Doha, the sides called for full implementation of the ceasefire in Gaza, withdrawal of Israeli forces, an end to settlement policy in the West Bank, and a two-state solution. Iran, Lebanon and Syria were also discussed.
Javlon TursunovTwo days before a new wave of protests against the cost of living, Emmanuel Macron holds a security council with the prime minister and intelligence services. The authorities admitted an intelligence failure: on October 17, 550,000–800,000 people turned out instead of the expected 200,000. Security measures have been reinforced for Saturday, October 24, and consultations with parties and mayors of major cities will take place at the Hôtel Matignon.
Sevara AzamovaBlogger Aiza-Liluna Ai stated in her Telegram channel that she does not understand those who want to fly to Paris in 2026, and sharply criticized the city. Her statement came amid mass protests in France, accompanied by arson and clashes with police.
Javlon TursunovSocialist MEP Jean-Marc Germain called the public order situation in France 'a big failure of the government' following protests and unrest over the weekend. He does not believe Emmanuel Macron should resign, arguing that elections should settle the issue. New protests and a general strike on November 5 are ahead.
Javlon TursunovThe Alliance union filed a liability lawsuit against the state, accusing the authorities of creating conditions for waves of violence: 'competing orders', a ban on intermediate means and a lack of training. Stanislas Goudon pointed to '20 years of absence of political courage'. Protests continue, a curfew is in place, and a general strike is scheduled for November 5.
Javlon TursunovEuronews in its Europe Today bulletin: France is preparing for new protests, police complain about a lack of resources, Macron set off on a tour of the Persian Gulf for oil and diesel supplies. The political crisis is also discussed, along with a meeting between US envoy Witkoff and Putin in St Petersburg after talks with Zelensky in Oslo.
Sevara AzamovaFrench operator Orange reported a 'major technical incident' that disrupted its mobile network from late morning: calls, SMS and mobile services were unavailable to a significant portion of customers. Emergency calls were unaffected. At the peak of the outage, Downdetector recorded nearly 12,000 reports. The company rules out a cyberattack and is considering a technical cause.
Sevara AzamovaFormer French President François Hollande, in an interview with France Inter, called Emmanuel Macron's government weak and said the president is 'as if absent' amid the unrest in the country. In his view, the authorities underestimated the scale of social anger and the aggressiveness of the protesters. The protests began in late September with problems in the education sector, and on October 17 more than half a million people took to the streets.
Sevara AzamovaFrance's Foreign Ministry mocked Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir after the release of a campaign video with an AI visualization of a destroyed Gaza and a scene where the enclave's residents are sent to Paris. The video was published ahead of the Knesset elections on October 27; Arab parties had earlier accused Ben-Gvir of using measures against Palestinians to mobilize voters.
Javlon TursunovThe 'Gen Z regelt' initiative called for actions in 21 German cities on October 31 against problems in schools, austerity, cost of living, conscription and climate change. Police are 'vigilant and calm', but the police union warned of a tough response to riots amid unrest in France.
Sevara AzamovaThe Paris city hall announced a ban on staying on Place de la République and in part of the Halles district from 23:00 on October 20 until 06:00 on October 21. Exceptions were made for local residents, enterprise employees and emergency services with valid documents. Police also banned mass gatherings in several districts from 20:00 to 06:00.
Javlon TursunovThe authorities of Paris and Lyon extended nighttime restrictions for the third consecutive time after riots and looting during nationwide protests. In Paris, the curfew is in effect from 23:00 to 6:00 in the areas around Place de la République and Les Halles; gatherings are also banned in several zones, along with a student demonstration on Thursday. In Lyon, prefect Étienne Guillot extended the curfew and the ban on gatherings. The restrictions were introduced after the October 17 protests against the rising cost of living and deteriorating education conditions; new demonstrations are being prepared for Saturday.
Sevara AzamovaParis police banned gatherings near the Élysée Palace, Place de la Bastille, parliament and tourist zones during mass protests. Macron called Trump's comments about the unrest 'stupid' and cited fake AI-generated images; Le Pen rejected these claims.
Sevara AzamovaUnion leaders, after a two-hour meeting with Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu, said they did not hear answers to their demands and confirmed mobilization on November 5 with a transition to strikes. Curfews are being extended across the country; the number of arrests after the October 17 riots has reached about 2,500 people, with 174 remanded in custody.
Sevara Azamova
