France Imposes Local Curfews After Riots

French Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu ordered limited, localized curfews after weekend protests over living costs and school conditions escalated into rioting, arson and looting in Paris, Lyon, Marseille and other cities. More than 2,400 people were arrested and about 3,000 businesses were damaged or looted. Fire collapsed the roof of Limoges's 19th-century City Hall. Marseille banned gatherings from noon to 8 p.m. Monday. Lecornu said that despite severe violence no one was killed and that was a miracle, that he was absolutely determined to restore order, and that a state of emergency remained an option if needed but curfews better suited the situation. He said television gave the impression of chaos everywhere, which was not the case. A support fund was promised for affected businesses. President Emmanuel Macron rejected Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez's resignation and ordered review of planning and intelligence failures and new policing tactics. Nuñez blamed hordes of troublemakers and looters and far-left activists. Lecornu accused the ultra-left movement of orchestrating unrest. With six months to the presidential election, Jordan Bardella said the government had failed to protect the French people; Marine Le Pen is polling as front-runner. Eliza Lumani said tear gas made it hard to breathe almost all over Paris. CONTESTED: none found in record.