1,300+ protesters held across France, 53 cops hurt, government begins probe

Police arrested 1,314 people in weekend protests across France, the interior ministry said Sunday, adding that 53 officers were hurt in clashes. The arrests occurred as violence broke out on the margins of mass demonstrations in major cities on Saturday over the high cost of living. It was the second consecutive weekend of unrest in France. The interior ministry said police responded to 75 fires during Saturday’s protests, adding that 24 shops were looted. “Several investigations have been opened,” it said.Spanish police arrest 128 in Barcelona for ‘looting’Police made 128 arrests overnight in Barcelona for acts of “vandalism”, damage to public property” and “looting”, the regional Catalan police said Sunday. Footage on social media showed groups of young people attacking businesses in Barcelona after gathering for a protest rally that had not been declared to the authorities.Demonstrators wounded in Portugal as cops clear campsPortuguese police again cleared tents set up by protesters against skyrocketing housing prices overnight Sunday. The police said the operation led to “31 arrests for disobedience”.Fresh protests in AlbaniaProtesters poured onto the streets of Tirana Sunday hours after PM Edi Rama vowed fines against violent protesters. Student-led demonstrations, fuelled by anger over perceived govt corruption, a lack of jobs and poor education standards, have engulfed central Tirana and spread to other cities this month.You use AI every day. Now get your AI Quotient. Take the AIQ test.