French protests over living costs turn violent in Paris

Scuffles broke out in Paris on Saturday as protesters joined nationwide demonstrations against rising living costs and in support of high school students, with police using tear gas to push back masked individuals throwing fireworks in Place de la République. The protests, which revived the "yellow vest" movement from 2018, drew support from student groups and the CGT labor union. Authorities recorded 140 protest actions outside Paris by midday involving over 30,000 people, with at least 166 arrests reported nationwide. President Emmanuel Macron appealed for calm, emphasizing the right to protest alongside respect for people and property. The demonstrations follow weeks of student unrest marked by thousands of arrests, school fires, and injuries, including a 15-year-old who lost a hand to a police stun grenade.