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France Has Asked Prosecutor to Investigate Treatment of Its Nationals on Activist Flotilla

Members of the Gaza-bound humanitarian flotilla seized by Israeli soldiers attend a session of questions to the government at the National Assembly, France's Parliament lower house, in Paris on May 26, 2026. (AFP)
Members of the Gaza-bound humanitarian flotilla seized by Israeli soldiers attend a session of questions to the government at the National Assembly, France's Parliament lower house, in Paris on May 26, 2026. (AFP)
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France Has Asked Prosecutor to Investigate Treatment of Its Nationals on Activist Flotilla

Members of the Gaza-bound humanitarian flotilla seized by Israeli soldiers attend a session of questions to the government at the National Assembly, France's Parliament lower house, in Paris on May 26, 2026. (AFP)
Members of the Gaza-bound humanitarian flotilla seized by Israeli soldiers attend a session of questions to the government at the National Assembly, France's Parliament lower house, in Paris on May 26, 2026. (AFP)

France has asked for the public prosecutor to investigate the treatment of French nationals who were part of a recent activist flotilla heading for Gaza, French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot said on Friday. 

"Based on a report I requested from our Consul General in Turkey, ‌who informed ‌me of sexual violence, exposure ‌to ⁠the cold, beatings, and ⁠repeated humiliation of French nationals, all of these acts are likely to constitute criminal offenses (and) I decided yesterday to refer the matter to the public prosecutor," Barrot told France Inter ⁠radio.  

Organizers of a flotilla that ‌was detained last ‌week during an attempt to bring aid ‌to Gaza said activists were subjected ‌to abuse, with several hospitalized with injuries and at least 15 reporting sexual assaults including rape. The activists have since been released. 

The lawyers ‌for the French flotilla activists said that they would file a ⁠separate ⁠complaint over the violence their clients were subjected to, including humiliation, rape and acts of torture. 

They declined an invitation from Barrot's cabinet to discuss the matter, saying in a statement that "the buzz from the minister's declarations will not make us forget that the French government has supported the state of Israel since the beginning of the genocide." 

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World

Man Arrested After Crashing Car into Park Across from White House

A bomb-sniffing dog checks for explosives after a vehicle drove into the north-facing pillars outside the White House, in Washington, DC, US, November 9, 2026. (Reuters)
A bomb-sniffing dog checks for explosives after a vehicle drove into the north-facing pillars outside the White House, in Washington, DC, US, November 9, 2026. (Reuters)
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Man Arrested After Crashing Car into Park Across from White House

A bomb-sniffing dog checks for explosives after a vehicle drove into the north-facing pillars outside the White House, in Washington, DC, US, November 9, 2026. (Reuters)
A bomb-sniffing dog checks for explosives after a vehicle drove into the north-facing pillars outside the White House, in Washington, DC, US, November 9, 2026. (Reuters)

The White House was briefly placed on lockdown on Monday after a man crashed his car into the sidewalk of a park across from the presidential mansion.

The driver of the vehicle was "quickly placed under arrest" after he "became combative with law enforcement," a US Secret Service spokesperson said.

Video taken by witnesses showed the man struggling with police after being pulled from his car, which crashed into a sign on the sidewalk of Lafayette Park across from the White House.

An explosive ordnance disposal team was called in to "sweep the vehicle as a precaution," the Secret Service spokesperson said in a statement.

Around the same time as the vehicle incident, "a second individual jumped a barricade near the northwest corner of Lafayette Park," the spokesperson said.

"That individual was also quickly placed under arrest," the spokesperson said. "Both incidents are under investigation."

The White House was locked down for around half an hour during the incidents, correspondents said.

World

Hegseth Plays Down Impeachment Risks, Says Ready to Defend His Record

US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth observes while President Donald Trump meets with Stephen Hubbard, a released Russian prisoner, in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, DC, US, 30 October 2026. (EPA)
US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth observes while President Donald Trump meets with Stephen Hubbard, a released Russian prisoner, in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, DC, US, 30 October 2026. (EPA)
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Hegseth Plays Down Impeachment Risks, Says Ready to Defend His Record

US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth observes while President Donald Trump meets with Stephen Hubbard, a released Russian prisoner, in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, DC, US, 30 October 2026. (EPA)
US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth observes while President Donald Trump meets with Stephen Hubbard, a released Russian prisoner, in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, DC, US, 30 October 2026. (EPA)

US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth on Monday played down the risks of an impeachment push against ‌him ‌and said ‌he ⁠was ready to defend ⁠his record at the Pentagon.

"We're not worried about that," ⁠Hegseth said, ‌when ‌asked if he ‌had enough ‌Republican support to defeat articles of impeachment.

Hegseth's remarks ‌came as Republican Representative Thomas Massie is ⁠attempting ⁠to force a vote on articles of impeachment against Hegseth in the House of Representatives.

World

Paraguay’s New President Asks All Ministers to Resign Amid Bank Crisis

Paraguay's interim President Pedro Alliana attends the swearing in ceremony of ministers at the government palace in Asuncion on November 9, 2026. (AFP)
Paraguay's interim President Pedro Alliana attends the swearing in ceremony of ministers at the government palace in Asuncion on November 9, 2026. (AFP)
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Paraguay’s New President Asks All Ministers to Resign Amid Bank Crisis

Paraguay's interim President Pedro Alliana attends the swearing in ceremony of ministers at the government palace in Asuncion on November 9, 2026. (AFP)
Paraguay's interim President Pedro Alliana attends the swearing in ceremony of ministers at the government palace in Asuncion on November 9, 2026. (AFP)

Newly appointed Paraguayan President Pedro Alliana on Monday asked all ministers to resign as the country endures a major banking crisis that has locked millions of people out of their accounts.

Former vice president Alliana took office on Friday when senators impeached Santiago Pena over the collapse of Ueno Bank, to which Pena is linked.

Alliana said he had instructed his new chief of staff Rolando de Barros to "ask ministers, secretaries and the highest state authorities who hold positions of trust to submit their resignations."

"My goal is to strengthen coordination within the Government and ensure more efficient management," he wrote on X, adding that "all institutions will continue to operate with complete normality."

Almost three million people lost access to their money when Paraguay's Central Bank seized Ueno on November 3, a move that triggered massive protests.

The Central Bank began restoring deposits Thursday through a guarantee fund, and by Saturday had returned about $160 million to nearly 1.2 million people.

Pena, who came to power in 2023, owned shares in the bank's holding company until he sold them last year.

He is accused of using his influence as president to steer millions in government deposits to Ueno and of hiding or downplaying its financial woes despite warnings about questionable loans and solvency issues.

Authorities placed the ex-leader under house arrest immediately after his impeachment and raided his home over the weekend as part of the probe into the bank collapse.