French police on Monday arrested 25 individuals suspected of involvement in a series of coordinated attacks on prisons and prison officers across the country, marking what authorities described as a major breakthrough in an ongoing investigation.

The arrests follow weeks of intensive inquiry into 15 separate attacks that took place over a two-week period in April. Nearly 200 investigators have been assigned to the case, according to the national anti-terrorist prosecutor’s office, which said Monday’s operation represented “significant progress” in uncovering the culprits and masterminds behind the assaults.

The first wave of 22 arrests took place early Monday morning at 6 a.m. local time, with three additional suspects taken into custody later that morning. Police carried out operations across a wide geographic area, with suspects detained in regions including Paris, Marseille, Lyon, and Bordeaux.

According to Franceinfo, investigators believe the attacks were orchestrated in response to the government’s intensified crackdown on drug trafficking, which began in February. Sources close to the case suggest that the attacks were not isolated incidents but part of a coordinated campaign.

A group calling itself the “Defence of the Rights of French Prisoners” (Défense des Droits des Prisonniers Français, or DDPF) has claimed responsibility for the attacks. The group has posted threats and videos targeting prisons and prison officers on its Telegram channel, further escalating tensions within the penal system.

French Justice Minister Gérald Darmanin reacted to the arrests on social media, stating, “I welcome the arrest of the presumed perpetrators of the attacks against prison officers and prisons in our country.” He added, “Strength remains with the law and the Republic in our relentless fight against drug trafficking.”

The attacks have heightened concerns about the growing influence of organized criminal networks within and outside French prisons, particularly amid broader government efforts to dismantle major drug trafficking operations.

Authorities have vowed to continue their investigations to fully dismantle the network behind the attacks and ensure the safety of correctional facilities and their staff nationwide.

Pakistani security forces have killed 54 militants attempting to cross into the country from Afghanistan, the military announced on Sunday, marking one of the deadliest operations in recent years along the volatile border.

According to a statement issued by the military, the infiltration attempt took place near North Waziristan, a former stronghold of the Pakistani Taliban, in northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province. Intelligence reports identified the slain insurgents as “Khwarij,” a term used by the Pakistani government to refer to members of the Pakistani Taliban, or Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP).

The military did not directly attribute responsibility but indicated that the militants had been “sent by their foreign masters” to conduct high-profile terrorist attacks within Pakistan.

The infiltration comes amid heightened tensions in the region. Pakistani officials noted that the attempt occurred as India levels accusations against Pakistan following a deadly assault on tourists in India-administered Kashmir. Pakistan’s Information Minister Attaullah Tatar told foreign media that New Delhi’s accusations are an attempt to distract Pakistan from its security focus on the western border.

Violence has surged in Pakistan over recent months, with most attacks blamed on the TTP, a militant group allied with the Afghan Taliban. Following the Taliban’s return to power in Afghanistan in August 2021, many TTP fighters and leaders are believed to have sought refuge across the border, straining relations between Islamabad and Kabul.

The Pakistani military’s swift action highlights growing concerns about cross-border militancy and the potential for destabilization at a time when Pakistan is grappling with internal security challenges and regional diplomatic tensions.

Authorities have stepped up border surveillance and intelligence efforts as they brace for potential further infiltration attempts, underscoring the fragile security landscape along the Afghanistan-Pakistan frontier.

Rome has become the center of global attention once again as world leaders and royals from 170 national delegations gather on Saturday to pay their final respects at the funeral of Pope Francis. While the day is officially one of mourning, many observers believe the event could also serve as a catalyst for informal political discussions among attending dignitaries.

Experts suggest that funerals of major global figures often evolve into opportunities for behind-the-scenes diplomacy. Pasquale Ferrara, Director General for Political Affairs and International Security at Italy’s Foreign Ministry, noted that “funeral diplomacy” is not new. “It happened at the funeral of former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, where Australia and Japan initiated talks on a joint security statement for the Asia-Pacific,” Ferrara said.

Similar patterns were seen at the funerals of Queen Elizabeth II and former Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi, where leaders from rival nations engaged in unprecedented exchanges. Raisi’s funeral, following his death in a helicopter crash in May 2024, notably prompted the first visits to Tehran by a Tunisian president and an Egyptian foreign minister since the 1979 Islamic Revolution.

Saturday’s gathering in Rome presents similar opportunities, even as it poses significant diplomatic and logistical challenges. Ferrara pointed out that coordinating between the Vatican, the Italian state, and the numerous visiting delegations — many of whom are in Rome for just a few hours — requires delicate handling and flexibility.

The ceremony is expected to foster more informal encounters rather than formal negotiations. According to Ferrara, spontaneous conversations during moments of mourning can often build personal trust between leaders, laying the groundwork for future diplomacy.

During his decade-long papacy, Pope Francis carved out a unique role for the Vatican in addressing global issues such as climate change, conflict resolution, and social justice. His outreach to leaders across the political and religious spectrum leaves a wide legacy — and today, many of those he touched have gathered to honor him.

For the attending world leaders, Saturday’s funeral is not only a solemn farewell but also a rare opportunity for dialogue, potentially sowing seeds for future cooperation in a world often divided by politics and ideology.