French and Belgian cities see violent protests over cost of living

Protests against the high cost of living turned violent across France and Belgium on Saturday, with cars set on fire in Brussels and buildings attacked in Lyon and Marseille, leading to hundreds of arrests. In Paris, police reported 133 arrests by 2 p.m., primarily for groups intending to commit violence, as clashes erupted at Place de la République. In Lyon, a tourist office was ransacked and set ablaze, while in Marseille, protesters briefly forced entry into the city hall, prompting President Emmanuel Macron to promise police reinforcements. Authorities anticipated 1,500 actions nationwide, with around 150,000 protesters expected outside Paris and 40,000 in the capital. Macron had called for calm on Friday, emphasizing the right to protest must be accompanied by respect for people and property.