New Delhi, Oct. 18 -- Over 1,000 people were detained in France on Saturday (local time) after demonstrations turned violent across several cities, with riots spreading beyond the capital and several government buildings set ablaze.

According to reports, the country woke up to devastated streets on Sunday after clashes, mass looting and fires erupted nationwide as marches against the rising cost of living plunged into "extreme" violence. The widespread unrest that turned violent on Saturday came after weeks of student protests and roughly six months ahead of elections to replace President Emmanuel Macron.

According to Interior Minister Laurent Nunez, over 550,000 people participated in the demonstrations across the country, while the CG...