France's worst riots in years: how they erupted and the government's response

France experienced its worst civil unrest in years over the weekend, with rioters clashing with police, setting cars ablaze, and storming public buildings, resulting in about 2,400 arrests and thousands of damaged businesses. The violence overshadowed peaceful protests against rising living costs and school conditions, prompting President Emmanuel Macron to denounce "unrestrained violence" from far-left radicals and criminals. Authorities imposed localized curfews, including in Paris areas, and ordered an investigation into intelligence failures. Experts compare the destruction to peak yellow vest protests, noting unprecedented police-inflicted injuries, with six people maimed. Student groups and activists have called for further demonstrations, while the government vowed an uncompromising stance against rioters.