France Tightens Security in Five Cities to Prevent New Riots

French authorities have banned or restricted demonstrations in several cities, including Lyon, Rouen, Le Havre, Le Mans, and Toulon, over the weekend to prevent a repeat of last week's violent riots and looting. Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez urged local and regional officials to prohibit gatherings deemed risky, with authorities also allowed to impose curfews. Nuñez admitted that officials and intelligence services underestimated the scale of last week's protests. President Emmanuel Macron held a crisis meeting with security services on Thursday and will convene the national security and defense council on Friday. Politicians from left and right continue to blame each other for inspiring the unrest, which followed peaceful protests over poor school conditions and rising prices.