France protests: 410,000 march nationwide, clashes and tear gas in several cities

▲ Escalating

410,000 march across France on Saturday as clashes and tear gas hit several cities

On Saturday, the Interior Ministry reported 410,000 demonstrators nationwide, including 110,000 in Paris, while unions claimed 800,000. Clashes broke out in Paris, Lyon, Rennes, Nantes and Bordeaux, and police fired tear gas. About 70,000 police were deployed, and 135 people had been arrested by midday. The protests follow last weekend's unrest, described as the country's worst street violence in years.

• Authorities banned gatherings and extended curfews ahead of the marches; Macron said only authorised union demonstrations would be allowed.
• Looting in Marseille and the burning of Limoges city hall were reported after last weekend's unrest.
• France's 10-year bond yield rose above 5% for the first time since 2002, and a Moody's downgrade is widely expected.
• Macron met high school student representatives on Friday; Italy saw similar cost-of-living protests, with 500 more soldiers sent to Milan.