World Echo

No one is taking seriously "absurd accusations" of Russia's involvement in unrest in Europe, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on Monday. "Nobody anywhere takes such absurd accusations seriously anymore. Not even in Europe itself," Peskov told Zvezda News media outlet. Mass protests took place in Paris and other French cities on October, 17, with peaceful demonstrations escalating into riots in some locations. Protesters set fire to municipal buildings, looted shops and attacked police stations, according to reports. Also Read: Macron rejects interior minister's resignation after France-wide riots Peskov also said that Russian President Vladimir Putin had backed proposals by Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin for a reshuffle in the government. Mishustin presented the proposals during a working meeting with Putin on Monday morning, he said. He did not specify which government officials would be affected by the changes. Under the Constitution, Mis...

French President Emmanuel Macron on Monday rejected the resignation of Interior Minister Laurent Nunez following widespread violence and looting across the country during last weekend's protests, according to broadcaster BFMTV. Nunez submitted his resignation to Macron a day earlier amid mounting criticism over the authorities' handling of the unrest. "I am the minister of the interior, I am responsible for everything that happens on the ground," he told France Inter radio, explaining his decision to resign. Nunez acknowledged a "loss of control" by police in some cities and admitted there had been a "lack of anticipation" in deploying available security forces. However, the president decided to keep him in office, citing the need for continuity in the command of security forces during the current crisis, according to a statement from the Elysee Palace. Macron also called for greater transparency over what he described as "failures i...

Pope Leo pledged on Sunday ​to slowly resume his usual activities as the leader of the world's 1.4 billion Catholics as he ‌greeted crowds in St Peter's Square during his first public event since undergoing surgery for lung cancer five days ago. The 71-year-old pontiff had an operation on Tuesday to remove the lower lobe of his right lung, fuelling speculation about how his illness might change his 17-month papacy. Smiling from ​a window of the Vatican's Apostolic Palace as he spoke to pilgrims below in a firm, clear ​voice on Sunday, the first US pope thanked people across the world for their prayers and ⁠said he would now begin to resume his normal schedule. Read: Pope Leo returns to Vatican four days after lung cancer surgery "Having overcome this delicate phase... I will now gradually resume ​my activities, always with the help of God and your prayers," Leo said. The pope, who was discharged from Rome's Gemelli ​hospital on Saturday, came to ...

At least 12 people were killed and dozens of others injured when a truck hit devotees near a temple in India's central Madhya Pradesh state, a police official said early Sunday. The accident occurred in Gwalior when a truck loaded with paddy lost control on a steep road and crashed into the outer wall and gate of the Sheetla Mata Temple, senior police official Dharmveer Singh said. He said 39 people were taken to a hospital, of whom 12 died. Ruchika Chauhan, a local civil official, said an investigation was underway to determine the cause of the accident. A day earlier, at least 17 people were killed and several others injured in a stampede at a religious festival in north Kolkata in India, NDTV reported. Read: Two killed, including 6-year-old, when truck drives through Kansas youth soccer game, police say Durga Puja, the biggest annual festival of Hindus in India's eastern state of West Bengal, draws thousands of devotees to temporary structures known as pandals,...

United States Vice President JD Vance said he has not decided whether to run for president in 2028, acknowledging he could ultimately opt out despite being widely viewed as a leading contender to succeed President Donald Trump. Asked by CBS News' Tony Dokoupil during an hour-long town hall in Michigan, released Saturday night, whether he might not run, Vance replied: "Of course there's a chance." He described himself as a procrastinator when facing major life decisions and said he would "have to think about it," citing his four young children and his wife, Usha Vance, who "has never loved politics" but "loves public service." Trump has called Vance his "most likely" Republican successor. Read: Vance suggests disagreement with Trump over Iran war Vance also defended the administration's economic and foreign policies, blaming former President Joe Biden's administration for neglecting manufacturing while ackno...

Pope Leo left the hospital in Rome on Saturday afternoon and returned to the Vatican four days after ‌surgery for lung cancer, an illness that has prompted speculation about how it might affect his 17-month papacy. The 71-year-old walked unaided to his waiting car, waving to well-wishers outside Rome's Gemelli Hospital. He stopped to speak to a 13-year-old girl named Varvara from Ukraine who has been in Italy for cancer treatment. ​He was pictured smiling broadly and waving through an open window when his black SUV left the hospital. He waved ​again to crowds as he was driven back into the Vatican but did not speak to anyone ⁠there before re-entering the world's smallest country. Read: Pope Leo back on his feet after shock cancer diagnosis His doctors had said earlier on Saturday that he was well enough to return home ​after they carried out the latest blood tests and chest imaging, and that he was able to perform normal daily activities independently. Leo, who ha...