Fires and tear gas as French protests spiral

Key points

• Violent fringe groups joined nationwide French protests over education and the cost of living, setting fire to Limoges City Hall and looting boutiques in several cities. Police used water cannon and tear gas in Paris.
• Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu said about 1,200 people had been arrested. Hundreds of thousands marched peacefully, according to organisers and officials.
• President Emmanuel Macron vowed to punish those responsible for the attacks, which came months before a presidential election.