Protests continue across France amid clashes in Paris

Protests against the French government and rising living costs continued across France on Saturday, the fourth consecutive weekend of demonstrations. Paris police used tear gas after some protesters threw projectiles and homemade fireworks near the end of a march, an AFP correspondent reported.

Turnout estimates differed. The Interior Ministry counted 146,000 demonstrators nationwide, including 46,000 in Paris, while unions put attendance at 250,000 across France and 75,000 in the capital. Both estimates were below the reported turnout at demonstrations during the previous three weekends.

Authorities had banned a Yellow Vests rally planned for Place de la Concorde, near the presidential palace and parliament, citing security concerns. About 100 people gathered near the site and were surrounded by police. Benjamin Ball, a coordinator of the movement, and its spokeswoman, Azelma Sigaux, were among those arrested, an AFP reporter said.

Police said a group of 200 violent individuals attacked officers as they arrested a man accused of setting fire to a rubbish bin. That account was reported by police; the supplied reporting did not independently establish the incident. In Lyon, police...