Politics · 2026-10-18 · Morning briefing
France sees 1,200 arrests as cost-of-living protests turn violent
Demonstrations across France over the cost of living and hardship in schools descended into violence on Saturday, leading to the arrest of at least 1,200 people. An estimated 550,000 took to the streets nationwide. Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu confirmed that 150 police officers were injured during the unrest, which the government termed an "escalation in violence".
In Paris, riot police used tear gas and water cannon as vehicles were torched at the Place de la République. The destruction was not confined to the capital: a fire at the town hall in Limoges caused its roof to collapse, while Lyon's historic tourist office was gutted by a blaze. Amid the looting and vandalism, one group of young protesters told reporters they were "pacifists" who were "just trying to make things change, but nothing is moving".
Summary written by Cup of News with AI from the sources below. Check the originals for the full story.
Read the sources
- France protests turn violent as 1,200 arrested, looting breaks out and buildings burn
- France protests turn violent over school grievances, rising costs; more than 1,200 arrested
- Apple, Louis Vuitton and Hermès stores looted as cost-of-living protests turn violent across France
- France is aflame as peaceful protests over the cost of living devolve into chaos and looting
- Protests erupt across France against rising living costs and in support of students
Ten stories, twice a day. Calm, no notifications.
Get the appMore stories in this edition
- Indonesian fire haze triggers highest alert across Southeast Asia
- European diplomats attacked by Israeli settlers in West Bank
- US suspends Russia sanctions, drawing Ukrainian condemnation
- Fatalities confirmed after incident sparks fire at Canadian military base
- Guatemalan anti-corruption lawyer shot dead in capital
- Drug and chip makers among firms expanding in Hong Kong
- South Korea forecasts chip boom to last until 2027
- AI film startups with $2bn backing cluster in Culver City
- Stanford researcher designs novel viruses with AI