Apparently, there were some black Muslims who were fleeing from the Police and got electrocuted in a subway. Rioting ensued among the immigrant African Muslim community. Add to this that some higher ups in the gov't said rather ridonkulous shit about that community and you have serious violence. It was in the suburbs of Paris for a while, but it has apparently made it's way into the city.

The OED online is, in fact, awesome! I LOVE that site.

By the way, how did the e-mail to your advisor work out? Are you feeling better about things?