France protests: 1,200 arrested amid violent clashes, looting in France

A wave of protests is sweeping across different parts of the world as people take to the streets over rising living costs, political dissent and growing social concerns. From France and Italy to the United States and Portugal, public anger is spilling onto the streets with demonstrators demanding change and demanding governments facing growing pressure to respond. France was gripped by violent clashes, looting and fires on Saturday as nationwide protests against soaring inflation descended into street violence. Police fired tear gas and used water cannons against protesters. The protests come after weeks of student demonstrations. Prime Minister Sébastien Le Corneau has said that 1,200 people had been arrested and 150 police officers were injured. The Interior Ministry has said that 550,000 people joined the marches, that's half a million, which come amid growing political uncertainty ahead of elections in six months. Police clashed with protesters in Milan during demonstrations over the high cost of living as well. Officers in riot gear moved to clear hooded protesters from the area around Milan Cathedral. Shops shut their doors and the Duomo metro station was closed amid the unrest. And according to media reports, several people were injured and a number of arrests were made. In another part of the world, anti-government protests in Albania entered a fifth day on Saturday with clashes erupting near Prime Minister Edi Rama's office in Tirana. Protesters hurled petrol bombs, fireworks and rocks at police who responded with tear gas and water cannons. Police said 167 people had been arrested and 132 officers injured. The protests, which have seen students join the movement, are demanding Rama's resignation. The Prime Minister has ruled out stepping down and accused conservative opponents of inciting the violence. Tens of thousands of people marched through Lisbon as well, protesting soaring living costs and a deepening housing crisis. Demonstrators say low wages are failing to keep pace with rising rents and everyday expenses. Portugal's inflation rose to 3.6% in September, while house prices have more than doubled since 2017. The protests have put further pressure on the centre-right government to address growing affordability concerns. Anti-Trump rallies were held across the United States on Saturday. The movement, titled No Kings, urged people to vote early in the upcoming midterm elections. The demonstrations come amid growing tensions over voting rights and mail-in ballots, and the Trump administration has sued California over its handling of mail-in ballots from people suspected of being non-citizens. On the other hand, Democratic senators have urged the Justice Department not to seize ballots or other election materials before the results are certified. Similarly, Venezuelans and diaspora staged protests in cities across Latin America on Saturday, demanding free presidential elections in their homeland. Demonstrators in San Jose, Buenos Aires and Santiago also called for the release of people that they describe as political prisoners and demanded that opposition leader Maria Corina Machado be allowed to return back to Venezuela. They also urged authorities to set an election date and reform the Electoral Council. Onto another protest now. Israelis protested in Tel Aviv on Saturday against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government, demanding political change and demanding accountability. A separate, smaller group demonstrated against Israeli settler violence in the occupied West Bank, calling for an end to attacks on Palestinians. Remember, these protests come as political parties position themselves ahead of national elections, which are scheduled for the end of October.