DOMINANT ANGLE
Dhaka is watching the devastated French streets and the anger over the high cost of living, as it releases the tally before Emmanuel Macron's security response.
Dominant angle identified — does not reflect unanimity of this country’s media
KEY POINTS
- 01
About 1,800 arrests, including 855 in Paris (a record), according to Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez, cited by The Daily Star.
- 02
550,000 protesters according to the Interior Ministry, 800,000 according to the CGT.
- 03
Macron attributes the violence to "insurrectionist elements from radical far-left groups, joined by numerous criminals" (TBS).
ANALYSIS
Dhaka, October 18, 2026. The English-language Bangladeshi press, The Daily Star and TBS, is following the French crisis through the lens of the street: devastated cities, looting, and anger over the high cost of living. The Daily Star opens with a question mark, "Revolution?", and describes a France that "woke up Sunday to devastated streets" after marches against the rising cost of living turned into "extreme" violence.
The newspaper provides the figures from both camps: 550,000 protesters according to the Ministry of the Interior, 800,000 according to the CGT. It links the mobilization to weeks of student mobilization and the upcoming presidential election, in six months. Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu condemns violence "of extreme intensity" and speaks of a "miracle" that the toll is not heavier; Paris Mayor Emmanuel Grégoire asserts that entire streets have been "devastated". The daily also notes that a 17-year-old teenager had his hand torn off by a grenade in Saint-Étienne.
A second article in The Daily Star, "Never seen anything like it", gives the floor to witnesses: a 38-year-old art teacher, Alma, says she has "never seen anything like it" while "understanding" the revolt. The official toll is reported the next day: around 1,800 arrests, including 855 in Paris, a record, one dead protester, and hundreds of injured police officers.
TBS devotes its article to Sunday's speech. Emmanuel Macron expresses "anger" and "shame", attributes the troubles to "insurrectionist elements from radical far-left groups, joined by numerous criminals" and promises that "those who looted will have to pay back". He instructs the prefects to protect buildings and businesses with the mayors, including by banning demonstrations. TBS quotes Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez: the right to demonstrate is fundamental, not disorder through violence. The city hall of Limoges, whose roof collapsed, serves as the central image.
Dhaka finally relays Donald Trump's phrase, "France is burning!", cited by The Daily Star along with his attack on immigration, without commentary.
