PARIS -- French President Emmanuel Macron said Thursday that the government recommends that no demonstrations be held across the country in the coming days, particularly on Saturday.
Speaking after a security council meeting, Macron said the government intended to prohibit requests to organize gatherings by people "who have no legitimacy to do so." For trade union marches formally notified to local authorities, alternative routes would be proposed to protect city centers, he added. (France-Protests)
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RAMALLAH -- The Israeli forces and settlers carried out 409 attacks against Palestinian olive farmers, trees, farmland, and agricultural equipment in the West Bank between Oct. 1 and 21, the Palestinian Liberation Organization's Commission Against the Wall and Settlements said Thursday.
In a statement, the commission said settlers carried out 317 attacks, while the Israeli army conducted 92. (West Bank-Israel-Olive Farmers)
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TEHRAN -- A senior Iranian security official has warned that global energy markets will remain volatile "for the next three years" if the U.S. continues its current pressure campaign against Iran.
"Perpetuating the current situation will carry strategic consequences, not least that the energy markets will not find calm for the next three years," Secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council Mohsen Rezaei said in an interview, published Thursday, with U.S.-based news outlet Drop Site News. (Iran-Security-U.S.)
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DOHA -- Qatari Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani and U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio discussed the latest regional developments and diplomatic efforts to de-escalate tensions on Thursday during a phone call, according to statements from both countries.
Qatar's Foreign Ministry said the two sides reviewed bilateral cooperation and their close strategic partnership, as well as ways to strengthen ties and enhance regional security and stability through continued diplomatic efforts and joint coordination. (Qatar-U.S.-Phone Call) ■
