French police fire tear gas as 100,000 protest in Paris over living costs

More than 100,000 people marched in Paris on Saturday over school funding and living costs, challenging President Emmanuel Macron's government as police fired tear gas and water cannons near the protest's end. Paris police estimated turnout at 110,000, with the march confined to the city's southeastern edge. Police used tear gas in Lyon, Clermont-Ferrand, and Strasbourg, and water cannons in Nice and Nantes. The Paris prosecutor's office reported 64 arrests, including six minors, mostly for suspected weapons offenses or preparing violence. The unrest tests Macron's authority before May's presidential election, with the far-right National Rally urging voters to channel anger into support. Authorities deployed up to 70,000 officers nationwide. The movement began over high school staff shortages and has spread to demands for higher wages and pensions amid 3.1% inflation.