France: Police and protesters clash in nationwide protests

There have been clashes between police and protesters amid mass rallies across France on Saturday, over high prices and social inequalities and the state of the education system. The Interior Ministry said that some 272 people had been arrested by mid-afternoon following violent incidents in Paris, Marseilles, Rennes, Toulouse and Angers. "Such actions include attempted looting, confrontations with law enforcement, the setting of fires to street furniture and the targeting of seats of power and media outlets," the ministry saidand blamed the unrest on what it described ​as the "ultra-left." In Paris and Marseille, police have fired tear gas at protesters during clashes.