Two high-profile trials dominated morning headlines: Gérard Depardieu faced sexual assault charges amid feminist protests outside the courthouse, while Mounir Boutaa stood trial for immolating his wife Chahinez Daoud in a "preventable" femicide that raised questions about police failures.
US-Russia ceasefire negotiations began in Riyadh following Ukrainian Defense Minister's announcement of "productive and targeted" preliminary discussions with Americans, all while Russian strikes hit multiple Ukrainian cities overnight.
By afternoon, news broke of rapper Koba LaD's arrest among 24 people connected to drug trafficker Mohamed Amra's escape. The day turned more violent with the fatal stabbing of 17-year-old Sékou in a gang confrontation outside a school in Essonne.
In Turkey, protests against Ekrem Imamoglu's imprisonment intensified for a fifth consecutive day, with over 1,130 protesters and 10 journalists arrested as his party nominated him as a presidential candidate.