France deploys 70,000 police as nationwide protests erupt

Photo — Mathias Reding / Pexels

The unrest escalated after large demonstrations that were initially peaceful, with hooded youths throwing stones and police responding with tear gas and water cannon. Authorities reported about 410,000 participants nationwide, while unions estimated the turnout at roughly twice that figure. Tourist sites and museums in Paris, including the Louvre, closed amid the security concerns, underscoring the disruption in the capital.[1][2]

Sources: The Straits Times, SBS News, NDTV, The Express Tribune