Macron urges calm after France's worst unrest in years

French President Emmanuel Macron appealed for calm on Sunday after nationwide protests over high prices and declining public services erupted into France's worst unrest in years, with thousands arrested and widespread looting and property damage. Violent clashes continued in Paris and Marseille, where riot police intervened to protect businesses. Saturday's demonstrations saw a town hall torched, shops pillaged, and nearly 2,400 arrests, with one protester dying from cardiac arrest and almost 1,000 officers injured. Macron condemned the violence while acknowledging peaceful protesters' grievances, but stopped short of declaring a state of emergency. Over half a million people joined marches, with far-right leader Marine Le Pen and hard-left candidate Jean-Luc Melenchon both responding to the crisis.