Tens of thousands continue to protest across France

Some 106,000 people marched through French cities for a fifth consecutive weekend of protests, marking the lowest turnout in recent weeks. Tens of thousands of protesters took to the streets across France on Saturday to demonstrate against the rising cost of living and strained public services, the Interior Ministry said. Saturday's demonstrations drew their lowest turnout in recent weeks.

Some 106,000 people marched through French cities, with 24,000 in Paris alone. The previous weekend, some 146,000 people had participated nationwide . The number of arrests was also significantly lower.

Police detained 219 people across the country, according to the Interior Ministry. Although the demonstrations were largely peaceful, police fired tear gas in Paris, Bordeaux and the western city of Nantes, including after some protesters shot fireworks. What began in September as student protests against teacher shortages and poor facilities has since evolved into a broader movement fuelled by anger over the rising cost of living, strained public services and police brutality.