Economists say the unrest in France is a warning signal for Australia's public spending and rising costs. Hundreds of thousands marched across France on Saturday over school underfunding and cost-of-living pressures. Economist Luke Hartigan said soaring energy costs are a major factor, but that France's high public debt and generous welfare state are the more fundamental problem. Public debt in France is nearly 120 per cent of the economy, compared with 53 per cent in Australia. Economist Bob Breunig called for an honest public conversation about what government can do and what it will cost.
Police in France arrested nearly 1,000 people on Saturday after protests against the cost of living turned violent in several cities. Interior minister Laurent Nunez said officers faced an extremely high level of violence from black-clad ultra-left extremists. Riot police fired tear gas in Paris, Marseille, Lyon, Bordeaux and other cities. Two people were seriously injured, including a man in Toulouse. Organisers and authorities gave differing estimates of between 410,000 and 800,000 marchers nationwide.
French police have made nearly 1,000 arrests after clashes broke out in Paris and other cities during nationwide protests over school funding and rising living costs, the government says. The Interior Ministry put the turnout at 410,000, while the CGT union estimated nearly 800,000. Violence erupted at the end of a Paris march, where police used tear gas and water cannons. Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez said the arrest figure was expected to rise. The unrest is testing President Emmanuel Macron's authority ahead of May's election.
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A gunman opened fire from a car in Trappes, west of Paris, killing one person and wounding four others, including a 12-year-old girl. President Emmanuel Macron called the Friday shooting a terrorist and racist attack. Interior Minister Laurent Nunez said it was clearly a terrorist crime, though investigations are ongoing. Officials say the 39-year-old suspect drove through the town firing at a petrol station, a medical centre and a children's playground. Police arrested him before he could injure anyone else. The anti-terrorism prosecutor's office is examining whether the attack was racially or religiously motivated.
A gunman allegedly opened fire from a vehicle in Trappes, west of Paris, on Friday, killing one person and wounding five others, including a 12-year-old girl. A 39-year-old man was arrested in nearby Coignieres. French President Emmanuel Macron called the shooting a terrorist and racist attack. France's anti-terrorism prosecutors have taken over the investigation and are examining whether it was racially or religiously motivated. The girl is in a stable condition.
French police have banned protests in parts of Paris from 8:00 am to 8:00 pm on Friday, as France prepares for more demonstrations after days of street violence. The ban covers key landmarks, including the Elysee presidential palace and the Louvre Museum. President Emmanuel Macron appeared to criticise foreign leaders for using the unrest for political gain, without naming them. Justice Minister Gerald Darmanin said 2,500 people were taken into custody, with 174 jailed. Rattled financial markets are watching the crisis closely.
Global stocks edged higher as early earnings results pointed to strong profits for global firms. Investor sentiment was supported despite concerns about AI shares and bond market turbulence. Australian data centre operator NextDC lost nearly half its market value after sharply cutting revenue forecasts and pausing future developments. French bond yields rose sharply as widespread protests added pressure on the government. The oil price climbed back above $US110 a barrel, adding to negative sentiment across bond markets.
Wagga-born Latrell Siegwalt made his international debut at the Rugby League World Cup, playing for France rather than the Kangaroos. His selection traces back to his grandfather George, who was born in France and moved to Australia after World War II. Siegwalt played all 80 minutes of France's opening match against Samoa at CommBank Stadium on Friday 16 October, which France lost 78 to 4. France's next match is against England in Perth on Saturday 24 October at 5:35 pm AEDT, and Siegwalt has been selected to play.
The French government has summoned six online platforms, including TikTok and eBay, as it seeks to contain widespread rioting and looting. Digital affairs minister Anne Le Hananff met social media firms on Tuesday and urged them to moderate content, including livestreams, to avoid violent material and posts encouraging people to break the curfew. Separately, platforms including Vinted, eBay, Amazon, LeBonCoin, Meta and TikTok agreed to forward reports to investigators and monitor ads for goods stolen during the protests, according to minister Serge Papin. Police have arrested more than 2,400 people, according to authorities.
France has announced partial curfews in Paris and other cities after weekend cost-of-living protests turned violent. Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu did not rule out a state of emergency after the interior minister said police had lost control. More than 2,500 people have been arrested and at least 3,000 shops damaged, police say. The Louvre museum closed on Monday after a small group of protesters blocked its entrance. Organisers have called for a new round of protests next Saturday.
Protests have spread across six European countries, with hundreds of thousands taking to the streets. France has imposed curfews in parts of Paris and Lille after some rallies turned violent, with hundreds arrested. The unrest began with teachers and students protesting staffing shortages in Paris on September 17, and has since widened to cost-of-living concerns and public sector cuts. In Spain, snap elections are set for November 29 after housing reforms were rejected. Analysts warn the discontent could spread to more countries in the coming weeks.
One Nation MP Barnaby Joyce has warned Australia could face violent unrest similar to riots reported in France. Speaking on 2GB, he said Australia needs a tougher approach to immigration and a shared national culture rather than an emphasis on multiculturalism. He argued that migrants who arrive without sufficient scrutiny could bring problems, and cited the Bondi attack as proof that such violence could occur at home. Mr Joyce also questioned whether French President Emmanuel Macron was capable of handling the unrest.
A synagogue in Paris was vandalised and several shops, including some Jewish-owned businesses, were looted as violent protests spread across France. Jewish leaders have called for President Emmanuel Macron to declare a state of emergency. Macron said prefects, working with mayors, could ban some gatherings. Protests have also spread to Spain, Portugal, Italy, Belgium and Albania, with demonstrators demanding lower living costs, higher wages and better public services. The French government has made some concessions, but demonstrations have continued.
Nearly 2,400 people were arrested in France on Sunday as cost-of-living protests erupted into some of the worst urban violence the country has seen in years. The interior ministry said almost 1,000 police and gendarmes were injured, seven seriously. President Emmanuel Macron condemned the unbridled violence, vowing that those who destroyed property would pay, though he announced no state of emergency or curfew. Protesters clashed with police in Paris, shops were looted, and a 17-year-old boy lost his right hand to a crowd-control grenade in Saint-Etienne. Opposition figures called for the interior minister to be sacked.
French President Emmanuel Macron has condemned the 'unbridled' violence during nationwide protests, which saw 2,400 arrests and widespread damage. Macron addressed the nation, distinguishing between legitimate protesters and those responsible for destruction. The riots, fuelled by cost-of-living concerns, have placed pressure on Macron ahead of upcoming elections. Over 1,000 police officers were injured, and businesses across France suffered significant losses. A historic town hall in Limoges was deliberately torched, and protests turned violent in cities including Paris, Marseille, and Lyon.
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French President Emmanuel Macron has condemned the 'unbridled' violence during nationwide protests, which saw 2,400 arrests and widespread damage. Macron addressed the nation, distinguishing between legitimate protesters and those responsible for destruction. The riots, fuelled by cost-of-living concerns, have placed pressure on Macron ahead of upcoming elections. Over 1,000 police officers were injured, and businesses across France suffered significant losses. A historic town hall in Limoges was deliberately torched, and protests turned violent in cities including Paris, Marseille, and Lyon.
About 1,800 people have been arrested after violent protests across France, which officials say caused widespread damage. Paris police reported a record 855 arrests. A historic town hall in Limoges was set on fire, and shops were looted in several cities. The protests were called against high inflation and the cost of living. The French government and far-right leader Marine Le Pen blamed ultra-left groups for the violence, while far-left candidate Jean-Luc Melenchon urged protesters to stay away from looting.
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.
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.
Protesters clashed with police across France during nationwide rallies over education and the cost of living on Saturday. In Paris, police fired a water cannon and tear gas after hundreds of masked protesters confronted them. The tourist office in Lyon was set on fire, and windows at the offices of two French broadcasters in Paris were broken. Protesters also rammed the door of a mayor's office in Marseille. The unrest adds pressure on President Emmanuel Macron's government as the country heads towards a presidential election.
