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French PM calls for 'partial curfews' in cities hit by riots and looting

French Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu has asked regional authorities to impose "partial curfews" in some cities on Monday evening as France reels from two days of unrest that saw town halls burned down and hundreds of businesses looted. Interior Minister Laurent Nunez earlier admitted that police had "lost control" of the protests in several cities, while the Yellow Vest movement called for a new round of protests on Saturday. Meanwhile, French President Emmanuel Macron rejected the resignation of Interior Minister 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 a...

Pope Leo pledges gradual return to duties in first event since cancer surgery

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 the window in the palace unaided and held his weekly midday appointment as usual. He also urged pilgrims waiting below under cloudy skies to set aside any selfish ambitions and serve God "without compromise". Nun cries as Leo makes appearance Leo has been diagnosed with lung ​adenocarcinoma, the most common form of lung cancer. The diagnosis, for the youngest pope in decades, who was elected only ​in May 2025, caused shock. Read More: Pope Leo diagnosed with cancer His doctors discharged him on Saturday after blood tests and chest imaging that day showed him well enough ‌to return ⁠home. They said he was able to perform normal daily activities independently. Crowds in St Peter's Square, numbering about 15,000 according to the Vatican, shouted and clapped loudly as Leo first appeared at the window on Sunday. One Catholic nun knelt and cried, holding her hand over her face. A few steps away, a group of other nuns held aloft a sign ​reading, "Best wishes, Holy Father. We ​love you, and we are ⁠praying for you". Pope's calendar in flux Leo usually keeps a busy schedule, but the Vatican has cancelled his other public events until at least Wednesday, when he is due to hold ​a weekly general audience in St Peter's Square. It has not said whether he ​will hold that ⁠audience. The pope is also planning to visit Uruguay, Argentina and Peru from November 6 to 17, in one of the most intense trips arranged for a Catholic leader in decades. Dr Stefano Margaritora, the pope's lead surgeon, said on Saturday that Leo could be ⁠fully recovered ​in time for that trip. Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Vatican's secretary of state, ​has however expressed scepticism. He told journalists on Friday the pope may need to adjust the pace of his schedule going forward "according to the condition ​of his health".

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