Paris police ban protests near presidential palace and Champs-Elysées for 12 hours

Paris police banned protests in parts of Paris on Thursday, including around the presidential palace and the Champs-Elysées, citing risks of violence from student demonstrations. The 12-hour ban, effective from 8 AM to 8 PM, follows nationwide protests that drew over half a million people and turned violent. The decree, published Wednesday, specifically references student protests running since mid-September over overcrowded classrooms, teacher shortages, and university slot allocation. It also cites a recent student action that forced the Louvre museum to close, warning of possible "spontaneous actions" targeting symbolic sites with international impact. French officials have acknowledged law-enforcement failures and rolled out tougher security measures, with Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu promising "massive" security for weekend demonstrations. Other French cities also prohibited protests, and the Indian embassy issued an advisory for nationals in France amid the unrest.