French Police Use Tear Gas and Water Cannons at Cost-of-Living Protests

Riots broke out at major protests across France against rising living costs, with police deploying tear gas and water cannons in Paris and dozens arrested. A car was set on fire in the capital. Protesters stormed Marseille's city hall, vandalizing it and throwing a bust of Marianne, France's national symbol, to the ground. Windows at a police station were smashed, and tear gas was also used in Lyon and Bordeaux. Authorities expected 40,000 demonstrators in Paris and 150,000 nationwide, with hundreds of actions planned. The protests follow weeks of student demonstrations, with farmers, nurses, and taxi drivers joining the Yellow Vests movement.