Fresh protests in Paris and other French cities turn violent as police fire tear gas

Clashes broke out Saturday in Paris and other French cities during fresh cost-of-living protests, with police firing tear gas and deploying water cannons. Authorities had mobilized 70,000 security forces nationwide for the marches, which followed violent unrest a week earlier that saw 2,700 arrests. The demonstrations drew between 410,000 and 800,000 people across the country, according to authorities and the CGT union. In Paris, clashes erupted as crowds dispersed, with police blaming "500 hooligans," while protesters accused officers of excessive force. Anger also targeted President Emmanuel Macron over security measures seen as restricting protest rights. The unrest comes six months before a presidential election, with far-right leader Marine Le Pen leading polls. Her party opened a congress in Orleans, drawing counter-protests. Inflation, fueled by fuel costs since the Middle East war began, has also sparked demonstrations in Italy, Belgium, Spain and Portugal.