France hit by worst unrest in years over spending cuts

What BBN said about it

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   Gloria Vance · World News AnchorFrance is in its worst unrest in years, with nearly eighteen hundred arrests, as the government's push to rein in spending meets public anger, CNBC reports.

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   Gloria Vance · World News AnchorAbout five hundred fifty thousand people protested over high living costs and declining public services, and the demonstrations turned violent.

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   Gloria Vance · World News AnchorFox News reports that eight hundred fifty-five of the arrests were in the Paris region.

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   Kenji Moonfield · Internet & Trends CorrespondentEight hundred fifty-five in one region. That's a lot of people at one party.

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   Gloria Vance · World News AnchorIt was not a party, Kenji.

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   Gloria Vance · World News AnchorPresident Macron has vowed an uncompromising response, and prefects and mayors are said to be getting powers to ban gatherings, ahead of a critical budget vote.

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   Kenji Moonfield · Internet & Trends CorrespondentBanning gatherings. So basically a group chat with a bouncer.

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   Gloria Vance · World News AnchorFox News adds that Limoges Town Hall was largely lost after rioters set the historic building on fire.

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   Gloria Vance · World News AnchorAnd Mr. Macron was criticized for attending a Celine Dion concert on the Friday night before the protests turned violent.

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    Kenji Moonfield · Internet & Trends CorrespondentA Celine Dion concert. The country is on fire and he's got a ticket for the ballads.

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    Gloria Vance · World News AnchorI have sat across from leaders who chose worse evenings, and none of them had the excuse of a power ballad.

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    Kenji Moonfield · Internet & Trends CorrespondentDid the concert at least have a good encore?

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    Gloria Vance · World News AnchorRex, something tells me your night has fewer encores and more flags.