French authorities have imposed fresh restrictions on protests across the country following violent clashes, looting and vandalism that erupted during demonstrations over the rising cost of living.   President Emmanuel Macron announced the measures on Thursday, October 22, after meeting key ministers and intelligence officials. The restrictions include curfews and bans on demonstrations organised by what the government describes as groups without legitimacy. Macron said restoring calm was the government’s immediate priority, adding that he would chair another defence council meeting on Friday to determine how to respond to nationwide demonstrations planned for Saturday and beyond. He blamed organised far-left groups for the worst of last weekend’s violence, accusing them of attempting to undermine the French republic. France Tightens Protest Restrictions The latest measures follow clashes on October 17, when demonstrations involving more than half a million people against rising living costs were followed by widespread looting and damage to public buildings. The government has acknowledged that police lost control during the unrest, while political candidates seeking to succeed Macron in presidential elections expected in six months have questioned the authorities’ ability to restore order. In Paris, a student demonstration went ahead on Thursday after an emergency court overturned a police ban. Hundreds attended the rally, which followed four weeks of student protests before the October 17 demonstrations. Student leader Coppelia Moreau accused the authorities of attempting to distinguish between acceptable and unacceptable protesters, arguing that the restrictions threatened the right to demonstrate. Authorities in Lyon, France’s third-largest city, banned all protests scheduled for Saturday. The city experienced the looting of between 200 and 300 shops during last weekend’s unrest, while a tourist office was set on fire. Other cities, including Grenoble, Rouen, Le Havre and Toulon, also announced restrictions on demonstrations in their city centres. In Paris, police said a march planned for Saturday could proceed in the eastern part of the capital, beginning at Bastille, but would not be allowed to enter the city centre, where major public buildings and shops are located. The Yellow Vest movement, which has joined trade unions in organising the cost-of-living demonstrations, rejected the restrictions. Meanwhile, Art Basel Paris, the capital’s biggest art fair, announced that it would close two days earlier than scheduled because of the planned protests. France’s Interior Ministry said 20 per cent more police officers would be deployed on Saturday than during the previous weekend’s demonstrations. Arrests Rise as Government Seeks Dialogue The French government has promised a firm response to the violence, although Macron has ruled out declaring a state of emergency. Justice Minister Gerald Darmanin said on Thursday that 217 of the 2,700 people arrested during and since last weekend’s unrest had been detained, while another 1,000 were facing prosecution. Prosecutors also confirmed the arrest of a 66-year-old man over the arson attack on the 19th-century town hall in Limoges. Another man in his 30s had been arrested on Tuesday in connection with the same incident. The unrest has intensified political divisions ahead of the presidential elections scheduled for April and May. Marine Le Pen, the far-right leader who is topping opinion polls, accused Macron and his centrist government of being too weak in their response to the violence. Jean-Luc Mélenchon, a far-left presidential candidate who has faced criticism from the government over his response to the unrest, blamed what he described as the authorities’ continued use of excessive force. Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu also began consultations with political leaders and other stakeholders in an effort to address the crisis. On Thursday, he met representatives of France’s major political parties, although Le Pen’s National Rally sent a lower-ranking official rather than a senior party leader. Lecornu was scheduled to meet mayors next, followed by discussions with student groups, trade unions and the employers’ federation on Monday. The government’s next steps are expected to be determined following Friday’s defence council meeting, as authorities prepare for further demonstrations across the country.

The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) has explained why vaccines are not yet available for the Bundibugyo strain of Ebola, as the agency announces clinical trials of new vaccine candidates.   Speaking during an interview on Channels Television’s The Morning Brief on Thursday, October 22, 2026, Africa CDC Director-General, Dr Jean Kaseya, said the lack of available vaccines reflected what he described as insufficient international commitment to addressing health emergencies in Africa. Kaseya alleged that some international partners regard Ebola as primarily an African problem, suggesting that the response would be different if an outbreak occurred in Western countries. “If this outbreak was in Western countries, vaccines would already be available,” he said. Despite the absence of an approved vaccine for the Bundibugyo strain, Kaseya said the Africa CDC had initiated clinical trials of new vaccine candidates. He disclosed that the candidates include a new vaccine against the Bundibugyo strain manufactured in Egypt. The development comes amid heightened attention to Ebola following a reported case in Nigeria involving a Ugandan-born patient who arrived in Abuja on October 3, according to a separate report by Channels Television. The Nigerian government and health authorities have also announced measures in response to the case, including restrictions affecting identified contacts and efforts to strengthen containment. Ebola is a serious infectious disease that can cause severe illness and death. Different Ebola virus species exist, and vaccines developed for one species do not necessarily provide protection against another. The Bundibugyo virus is one of the species responsible for Ebola disease. The development of vaccines specifically targeting this strain remains an important part of efforts to improve preparedness for future outbreaks. The Africa CDC’s announcement of clinical trials signals progress towards expanding vaccine options, although trial results and regulatory approval would be needed before a new vaccine could become widely available.

The Nigerian Senate has urged Inspector-General of Police Tunji Disu to launch an urgent investigation into the killing of 113 people, including six Mobile Police officers, in Benue State.   The resolution followed a motion of urgent public importance sponsored by Senator Emmanuel Memga Udende, who represents Benue North-East Senatorial District, over recurring attacks in Ukum, Katsina-Ala and Logo Local Government Areas. Presenting the motion, Udende said the attacks had resulted in widespread deaths, destruction of property and the displacement of residents, while disrupting farming and other economic activities in the affected communities. According to the senator, the incidents included the killing of 24 people in Sai, Katsina-Ala Local Government Area, and 63 people in Bom and Aboajio villages in Ukum Local Government Area. He also reported that 15 people, including six Mobile Police officers, were killed in Ayilamo, Logo Local Government Area. Another 11 people were killed in Tse Biliji and Tse Shishi Nyako villages in Ukum on October 8, 2026. The four incidents brought the reported death toll to 113. Senate Calls for Stronger Security The Senate condemned the killings and observed a minute of silence in honour of the victims. It also expressed condolences to their families and the Nigeria Police Force over the deaths of its personnel. Lawmakers urged the Inspector-General of Police, the Chief of Army Staff and the heads of other security and intelligence agencies to strengthen security operations in the affected areas. They also called for effective early-warning and rapid-response mechanisms to prevent further attacks and ensure the sustained protection of vulnerable communities. Akpabio Raises Concern Over Security Personnel’s Deaths Senate President Godswill Akpabio expressed concern over the killing of armed security personnel, questioning the safety of residents who lack the means to defend themselves. He stressed the need to bring the situation to the attention of the service chiefs so they could take appropriate measures to improve security in the affected communities. The Senate’s resolution comes amid recurring attacks in parts of Benue State, where residents have faced deadly violence, displacement and disruptions to their livelihoods.

France has reported the first known human infection with the Shamonda virus, which has been detected in 14 European countries, raising concerns about the virus’s spread among animals.   French health authorities said the infected person, a severely immunocompromised patient, died earlier this month. The case is the first known human infection since the virus was identified decades ago. According to Channels Television, citing the Agence France-Presse (AFP), the virus was detected in Europe for the first time in late July, following decades of circulation in parts of Africa and Asia. Virus Detected in 14 European Countries The Shamonda virus belongs to the Orthobunyavirus group and primarily affects livestock. It was first detected in Nigeria in the mid-1960s and has since been reported in cattle across several parts of Africa and in Japan. Cattle are considered the virus’s main animal hosts, although infections have also been identified in other livestock and horses in France this summer. In cattle, symptoms include acute diarrhoea, fever, lethargy and reduced milk production. French authorities believe the patient contracted the virus through the bite of a midge in eastern France, where the virus had been circulating among animals during the spring and summer. Authorities Investigate First Human Case Preliminary findings suggest that neurological complications experienced by the patient before death were likely linked to the infection. However, French health and agriculture ministries said clinical, biological and epidemiological investigations were still ongoing. The investigation has been reported to the World Health Organization (WHO) and the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC). Despite the fatal case, the French authorities said there was no identified health risk to the general public at this time. They described the infection as an exceptional case involving a severely immunocompromised patient who was already hospitalised for a serious medical condition. The authorities added that, despite the virus circulating in Africa and Asia for several decades, it had never previously been detected in humans. Further investigations are expected to establish more details about the infection and its possible implications for public health.