Europe News Today: France Braces for Protests, Paris Curfew & Trappes Shooting (24 Oct 2026)
France has put about 70,000 police on the streets for Saturday’s protests after violent unrest last weekend, while the country is also dealing with a deadly shooting in the Paris suburb of Trappes and a powerful storm. Here is what is happening in Europe today.
France Deploys 70,000 Police for Saturday Protests
France announced it will deploy 70,000 police officers on Saturday after last weekend’s protests turned violent, with Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez saying the government wants to avoid a repeat. Last weekend’s nationwide protests drew about 500,000 people marching against school conditions and the rising cost of living, but ended in chaos with vandalism and fires. Authorities said nearly 1,000 police officers were injured and more than 3,000 shops were looted or damaged. France to deploy 70K police on Saturday to curb unrest - UPI.com +2
The government said some 20 percent more security forces will be on duty this weekend after heavy criticism of how police anticipated last week’s violence. The protests come six months before elections to replace Macron, and a new poll shows far-right candidate Marine Le Pen as the frontrunner. france24france24
Paris Curfew and Protest Bans: What You Need to Know
- Paris police rejected several requests for protest permits on Saturday but allowed a march by the CGT union. upi
- Fuel and fireworks have been banned, and a curfew applies in Paris and other parts of the region through Monday. upi
- The Grand Palais, Louvre, Orsay, Orangerie and Picasso museums will be closed on Saturday. upi
- In Orléans, 20,000 to 30,000 people were expected to protest against Le Pen’s National Rally party, but the gathering is barred from the city centre. france24
- Shops were barricaded in Lyon and Orléans over possible unrest. euronews
If you are travelling to France this weekend, check local authority and embassy advice before going out.
Trappes Shooting: One Dead, Five Wounded
On Friday a gunman firing from a vehicle killed one person and wounded five others, including a 12-year-old girl, at a petrol station, a medical centre and a children’s playground in Trappes, west of Paris. President Emmanuel Macron called it a terrorist and racist attack, and the national anti-terrorism prosecutor’s office opened an investigation. theglobeandmailtheglobeandmail
Macron said the victims were targeted because of their religion and skin colour, and said the attack marks a turning point for France. The investigation is still ongoing, so details may change. france24
Storm Austen Hits France and the UK
Storm Austen battered France and the UK with winds of up to 160 km/h. Check local weather warnings and transport updates if you are travelling. euronews
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