Several major events have punctuated the news in France and internationally this weekend, particularly on the security and diplomatic fronts.
An attack was foiled on Friday night in front of the Paris headquarters of Bank of America, on La Boétie Street. A man was arrested as he was about to detonate a homemade explosive device, while a accomplice fled. Two more arrests were made from Saturday night to Sunday, bringing the total number of people in custody to three.
The main suspect, a minor, claims to have been recruited via Snapchat for 600 euros to carry out the operation. The national anti-terrorist prosecutor’s office has taken over the investigation, entrusted to the criminal brigade and the DGSI. Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez mentioned similarities with actions claimed by a group close to the Iranian Revolutionary Guards, amidst tensions related to the war in the Middle East.
During a visit to Monaco on Saturday, March 28, the Pope Léon XIV, arrived from Rome in a helicopter in the micro-state barely 2 km² between France and Italy. The pope paraded aboard the famous “popemobile” with cheers but a contrasting crowd. He was then welcomed for his first European visit by Prince Albert II and Princess Charlene.
Under a radiant sun, he then went to the princely palace where he delivered powerful words from the balcony. Speaking in French, the American pope criticized “unjust configurations of power, sin structures that deepen abysses between poor and rich, privileged and rejected, friends and enemies”. “Every talent, every opportunity, every good placed in our hands has a universal destination, an intrinsic duty not to be retained but redistributed”, he continued, clearly aligning himself with Pope Francis in terms of social justice and the fight against inequalities.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky declared on Saturday, March 28, during a visit to the Middle East, that the agreements he had signed with Gulf countries during a tour in the region envisioned “a ten-year cooperation” in defense and the establishment of joint production chains.
“We are talking about a cooperation over 10 years. We have already signed an agreement to this effect with Saudi Arabia, we have just signed a similar agreement with Qatar, also for 10 years, and we will sign one with the Emirates,” said Mr. Zelensky to journalists, including AFP, during a press briefing.
(With AFP)
