Shops looted as German cost of living protests turn violent

Thousands of people demonstrated across Germany against the cost of living, underfunded schools, public spending cuts and military service. The rallies, organised by Gen Z regelt, were largely peaceful during the day, but violence broke out at night in Frankfurt, Berlin, Cologne and Hamburg. In Frankfurt, shops were looted and damaged, Molotov cocktails were thrown at emergency services, and police made many arrests. Spokesperson Lina Friedrich said the campaign was seeking peace, freedom and better health and education services, while Hesse interior minister Roman Poseck condemned the alleged infiltration of the protest by left-wing extremists.