Paris merchants' chief 'ashamed' after looting hits shops during protests

Paris business leaders expressed outrage Sunday after widespread looting and violence hit shops during Saturday's protests, with the head of the merchants' federation saying he feels "ashamed" of the scenes. Thierry Véron, president of the Federation of Parisian merchants and artisans, told Franceinfo that destroyed stores mean weeks of closure, unemployed staff, and ruined businesses. He called for state financial support, saying the economic impact is too heavy for merchants to absorb alone. Authorities have not released a full damage tally but called the destruction "significant." Paris deputy mayor Lamia El Araaje described "methodical looting" and an unprecedented level of violence.