France in turmoil: cities burn as student protests erupt, Palestinian flags fill the streets

Key points

• Student-led demonstrations in France turned violent across major cities on Saturday, with buildings set alight, businesses looted and police using tear gas and water cannons. The Associated Press estimated between 550,000 and 800,000 people joined about 110 protests nationwide.
• The unrest began in mid-September over teacher shortages and school conditions, then merged with broader anger over living costs and public spending cuts. Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu condemned the violence and blamed radical far-left groups and criminal elements.
• Palestinian flags were seen at some demonstrations, including one in Paris on October 8.