Nearly 1,000 arrested as French protests draw hundreds of thousands

Nearly 1,000 people were arrested during Saturday's protests in France, where tens of thousands demonstrated amid tensions after authorities banned some rallies following last week's riots. Security forces fired tear gas in cities including Lyon, Lille, Toulouse, and Nantes, mostly at unauthorized protest zones. Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez said arrests could rise, though he noted protests "went smoothly" despite clashes with "risk groups" described as radical left-wing militants. Between 410,000 and 800,000 people marched against the rising cost of living and in support of high school students demanding better conditions since late September. In Paris, turnout ranged from 110,000 to 250,000 despite a last-minute route change.