Rooma News : France grapples with weekend unrest as Macron condemns violence

 Monday, October 19, 2026

Islamabad

Rooma News

By Rooma Mehmood · Islamabad

World News

France grapples with weekend unrest as Macron condemns violence

Hundreds of thousands of people took to the streets across France on Saturday in protests over the cost of living, fuel prices and strained public services, including schools. What began as largely peaceful marches involving more than half a million people in scores of cities turned violent in several places. Town halls were set ablaze in some cities, shops were looted, and clashes with police left nearly 1,000 officers injured. Authorities reported around 2,400 arrests.

President Emmanuel Macron addressed the nation, distinguishing legitimate grievances from “unbridled” violence by fringe groups and delinquents. He rejected an offer of resignation from his interior minister and directed local authorities to consider limited curfews where needed. The government is also examining intelligence and preparedness shortcomings. Similar cost-of-living demonstrations occurred in other European countries over the weekend.

Russia and Ukraine trade further strikes amid strained US-Ukraine ties

Russia launched overnight ballistic missile and drone attacks that damaged more than 10 energy facilities across Ukraine, cutting power, heat and water to more than half a million households. A 21-year-old woman was killed in the Kyiv area. Ukrainian officials said they received no advance warning from partners for the first wave of the assault.

In response, Ukraine conducted one of its largest drone operations, launching more than 1,000 drones and striking oil infrastructure near St. Petersburg, causing fires at a terminal and depot. Tensions between Kyiv and Washington remain elevated, with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy expressing frustration over delays in certain supplies and intelligence sharing, while US President Donald Trump has criticised Ukraine’s continued energy strikes and urged a focus on ending the conflict.

Other Global Developments

Israeli police arrested at least 10 people in the occupied West Bank over attacks involving settlers that targeted an American photojournalist and European diplomats.

A Kenyan court convicted cult leader Paul Nthenge Mackenzie of murder in connection with the deaths of 190 children and one adult linked to starvation in Shakahola Forest.

Houthi forces struck a Yemeni government military training camp, killing dozens in one of the deadlier recent incidents.

Andorra and San Marino each signed association agreements with the European Union.

Albertans voted in a series of referendums, including one on seeking separation from Canada.

Four Canadian soldiers died in a fire at a military base in Alberta during live-fire training.

Pakistan News

Security operations continue in Balochistan; army officer martyred

Security forces conducted intelligence-based operations in Balochistan. An army major, Wajahat Waheed, was martyred in an improvised explosive device attack in the Gwadar area. Four terrorists were eliminated in related actions, including in Kalat. Forces recovered significant quantities of explosives in some operations.

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa under governor’s rule and emergency measures

The federal government continues to administer Khyber Pakhtunkhwa under emergency and governor’s rule imposed earlier this month under constitutional provisions, citing a sharp rise in terrorist incidents and the need for coordinated counter-terrorism efforts. Governor Faisal Karim Kundi is overseeing provincial functions with support from an advisory council. PPP leaders have defended the measures as necessary against terrorism and invited opposition engagement on broader reforms. PTI leaders have criticised the steps and filed legal challenges.

Diplomatic and Other Developments

Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, speaking at a forum in Doha, stressed sustained engagement and patience for any path toward US-Iran dialogue, highlighting Pakistan’s earlier mediation efforts.

The Maldives president is scheduled to begin a three-day state visit to Pakistan.

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar is in Tajikistan for a Shanghai Cooperation Organisation meeting.

Pakistan’s first astronaut is scheduled for a mission from a Chinese space centre on 25 November.

A new polio case was reported in Karachi, bringing the national tally for the year to seven.

Cotton arrivals have risen, though the textile sector continues to face closures of mills and ginning factories.

Editorial

Security, Stability and the Test of Governance

Pakistan faces persistent challenges on multiple fronts: militant violence in parts of Balochistan and the former tribal districts, economic pressures that keep factories idle and prices high, and the delicate balance between federal authority and provincial autonomy. The recent imposition of emergency and governor’s rule in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa reflects the gravity with which the Centre views the security situation. Terrorism cannot be allowed to dictate the terms of daily life or to exploit political differences.

Yet constitutional measures of this kind must remain temporary, transparent and subject to parliamentary oversight. The goal cannot be permanent centralisation; it must be the restoration of effective, accountable provincial governance capable of protecting citizens and delivering services. Coordination between federal and provincial institutions is essential, but so is political consensus that rises above party advantage.

On the external front, Pakistan’s diplomatic efforts to encourage dialogue between the United States and Iran, and its clear support for the security of partners such as Saudi Arabia, demonstrate a preference for stability over escalation. In a region already strained by conflict, restraint and mediation serve Pakistan’s long-term interests far better than entanglement.

At home, the economy still requires urgent attention. Higher cotton arrivals are welcome, but widespread mill closures signal deeper structural problems—energy costs, policy uncertainty and limited access to finance. Education and health indicators demand sustained investment rather than temporary schemes.

The path forward lies in consistent, even-handed enforcement of the law, genuine political dialogue that includes all major stakeholders, and policies that prioritise ordinary citizens over short-term political gains. Security without justice is incomplete; development without security is fragile. Pakistan’s institutions and leaders must deliver both.

— The Editorial Board

Rooma News · By Rooma Mehmood · Islamabad

News digest sourced from The Daily Horizon, Monday, October 19, 2026