They’ve taken plenty of hits over the years, so it takes something seismic to make big men falter in their step. It seems that moment came yesterday, writes Noel Baker of the Irish Examiner.

Youths torched 750 cars, stoned paramedics and burned a nursery school in a ninth night of violence that spread from Paris suburbs to towns around France, police said today.

Bands of youths torched cars, warehouses and a nursery school early today in a ninth night of violence in the suburbs of Paris and beyond.

French anti-terrorist police arrested at least four people today in connection with a planned attack on the US embassy in Paris and other American interests in France, police said.