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Clashes erupt across several cities in France

Thousands took to the streets in many cities to protest over the cost of living

French police have arrested nearly a thousand people during another day of mass protests over the cost of living that saw clashes in many cities.

Also in the programme today: we'll hear two politically opposed views of Israel's general election on Tuesday - the first since the 7th October Hamas attacks; and, why it was time for a new voice for Apu, the Indian shopkeeper in The Simpsons.

Presenter Julian Worricker is joined by Elke Schwarz, a professor of political theory at Queen Mary University of London, and Karen Dobres, an author, businesswoman and activist based in the southern English town of Lewes.

Photo: Nationwide protests against rising living costs and cuts to public services in France, Bordeaux - 24 Oct 2026.Credit:
Guillaume Pinon/EPA Shutterstock

In relation to our item on The Experiment towards the end of this programme from 0750 GMT to 0758 GMT, we interviewed Sophie Weaver, one of the actors involved, and not Sophie Morgan, a disability rights activist and presenter of the film, as stated on-air. Our apologies to both Sophie Weaver and Sophie Morgan for the error.

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