Rioters Burn Historic French Building in Limoges During Protests

A historic 19th-century neo-Renaissance building in Limoges, France, was set ablaze by rioters during nationwide protests over rising prices and education conditions, causing its bell tower to collapse. The violence erupted on October 17 during demonstrations that drew around 550,000 people. Protesters clashed with security forces in Paris, who used tear gas and water cannons, while some participants threw stones and set fires to cars and shops. The unrest followed grievances over high fuel costs, with inflation reaching 3.4% monthly and fuel prices up 21.2% year-on-year. The demonstrations, initially peaceful, included high school students demanding better education conditions, alongside workers protesting economic hardship. Authorities reported numerous injuries among both protesters and police as the situation escalated.