France opens ‘attempted murder’ probe into petrol bomb attacks on police

French prosecutors opened an investigation on Sunday for the attempted murder of people holding public authority after incendiary devices were thrown at security forces during protests in Paris. Video showed a homemade device exploding at a gendarme’s feet and setting the lower part of his body on fire; reported injuries included second-degree burns. The clashes took place on Saturday during a third weekend of protests against rising living costs and deteriorating public services, drawing hundreds of thousands of people. No suspects had been arrested at the time of publication.