French protests over living costs and schools end with 1,300 arrests

More than 1,300 people were arrested across France on Saturday as protests over living costs and school conditions ended in clashes, though authorities prevented a repeat of last week's widespread looting and rioting. About 70,000 police officers were deployed nationwide, with restrictions on gatherings in several cities. The interior ministry estimated 410,000 protesters participated, while unions claimed around 800,000. Fifty-three officers were injured, and 142 arrests occurred in Paris. Violence included barricades and projectiles in Paris, where police charged masked youths, and fires in Marseille. President Emmanuel Macron had limited demonstrations to union-organized events, and fast-track courts have jailed hundreds for vandalism and arson.