France braces for Halloween protests, high risk of unrest

French police are conducting preventive checks in Paris to identify potential violent individuals ahead of planned demonstrations. An evening curfew is in effect in parts of the city, and protests are expected nationwide, with over 150 events scheduled. Authorities have deployed 70,000 officers following previous unrest that resulted in numerous arrests and injuries. Retailers fear significant damage from ongoing looting and riots, with Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez warning of potential violence linked to far-left groups. Many shops in Paris have barricaded their storefronts in anticipation of protests, which began with students advocating for education issues and expanded to include opposition to cuts in public services. Similar protests are also occurring in the Netherlands and Germany.