India, Nov. 2 -- Germany witnessed violent clashes in several major cities after thousands of people took to the streets to protest against the rising cost of living, education funding shortages, public spending cuts and compulsory military service. What began as largely peaceful demonstrations on Saturday escalated into overnight unrest, with reports of shop looting, vandalism and attacks on police and emergency workers.

Frankfurt, Germany's financial hub, became one of the main centres of violence, as rioters smashed shop windows, broke into stores and clashed with police. Similar incidents were reported in Berlin, Cologne and Hamburg, where authorities deployed additional police units to control the situation.

The demonstrations were...