France Reels from Widespread Protest Damage

France is reeling from severe damage after protests over the education system and cost of living, involving students, the Yellow Vests movement, unions, and parents, left widespread destruction across the country. Interior Minister Laurent Nunez reported over 2,000 arrests and more than 600 injuries among police, gendarmerie, and fire crews. Retail Federation President Alexandre Bompard said about 1,500 shops were damaged, with losses reaching hundreds of millions of euros, while Paris Mayor Emmanuel Gregoire announced a special team for damage assessment and business support. President Emmanuel Macron stated that prefects could ban some demonstrations. Similar protests occurred in Albania, Italy, Belgium, and Portugal, and Israeli Minister Amichai Chikli controversially claimed a civil war has begun in France.