Western couple abducted in Burkina in 2018 found alive in Mali

13 Sept 10:15 Key points summarised by AI

A Canadian woman, Edith Blais, and her Italian partner, Luca Tacchetto, kidnapped in Burkina Faso in 2018, were found alive in Mali by UN peacekeepers.
The couple, who disappeared while traveling through Burkina Faso, were reportedly found near Kidal, Mali, and appeared to be in good health.
They were transferred to Mali's capital, Bamako, under UN protection, and are set to be repatriated to their respective countries.
Preliminary reports indicate the pair managed to escape their captors and were subsequently brought to a MINUSMA camp by a civilian vehicle.

Macron condemns those who 'sought to bring down the Republic' after rioting mars nationwide protests

Yesterday 12:56 Key points summarised by AI

President Macron condemned widespread rioting and looting during nationwide protests, blaming far-left activists and criminals for the "unrestrained violence" and vowing accountability for those who "sought to bring down the Republic."
Over 2,400 arrests were made as protests against rising living costs and poor school conditions escalated, causing extensive damage to public buildings and businesses in cities like Paris, Limoges (where City Hall burned), Marseille, and Lyon.
The unrest, which organizers hoped would revive the "yellow vest" movement, saw political leaders trade blame, with Macron instructing prefects to protect public buildings and potentially ban future protests to prevent further disorder.