INTERNACIONAL
Inside the neighborhood living on the edge of America’s tech frontier
ASHBURN, Va. — First came the explosions, the heavy machinery and the red dust that coated the neighborhood. Soon after, towering, windowless buildings emerged just beyond a thin row of trees.
Months after the construction noise faded, the silence gave way to a steady mechanical hum.
For homeowners on the tucked-away cul-de-sac of Statesboro Place in Loudoun County, Virginia, suburban life now shares a fence line with the infrastructure powering America’s artificial intelligence (AI) boom.
The facilities behind the neighborhood are operated by Amazon Web Services and Microsoft, two of the world’s largest cloud computing companies.
«It’s like 150 feet away and just constant noise,» one resident told Digital while looking out over the backyard on a rainy September afternoon. «So far, they’ve planted some trees, thinking that would solve the issue.»
A SOUTHERN STATE JUST TOOK THE TOP SPOT IN ONE OF THE WORLD’S FASTEST-GROWING INDUSTRIES
A Microsoft spokesperson told Digital the company is «actively meeting with nearby HOAs to address community priorities, including landscaping, lighting and noise, working to ensure that our development lives up to residents’ expectations.»
An Amazon spokesperson said the company has «been part of Loudoun for 20 years» and that its local team has been working directly with residents and the HOA to address concerns. «We’re committed to building responsibly and being good neighbors,» the spokesperson said.
The residents interviewed for this story requested anonymity as they are engaged in ongoing discussions with the HOA and county officials.
One resident, who bought the home nearly a decade ago, said the hum extends beyond the backyards and can be heard along the community’s walking trails.
«Only two data centers are active right now and two additional ones are planned to be active next spring,» the resident said, adding that neighbors fear the noise will only grow louder.
The neighborhood sits in Loudoun County home to the world’s largest concentration of data centers and one of the epicenters of the nation’s AI infrastructure buildout. Residents say they were drawn to the spacious lots, unobstructed views and quiet streets, all of which are now overshadowed by featureless buildings.
THIS TINY FARMING TOWN YOU’VE NEVER HEARD OF IS HELPING MICROSOFT SELL AMERICA ON DATA CENTERS
As of March 2026, more than 230 data centers had been built or were under construction across the Virginia county, with another 116 projects in the pipeline.
«When I moved in, it was an open field. I had a nice backyard and there was not an ugly building to look at,» another resident told Digital.
The resident says the question isn’t whether data centers should exist, but whether they belong so close to neighborhoods without a better understanding of how they affect the people living beside them.
«Are we the guinea pigs? It feels that way.»
The data centers that transformed the landscape have also reshaped Loudoun County’s finances.
County officials say data centers generated $1.2 billion in tax revenue in fiscal year 2026 — 39% of the county budget — and project that figure will rise to $1.3 billion in fiscal year 2027. The revenue helps fund county services and keep tax rates lower, but residents say their individual bills have continued to rise.
One Loudoun County homeowner shared six years of property tax records with Digital showing the annual real estate tax bill rose from $17,391 in 2021 to about $22,250 in 2026, an increase of nearly $5,000.
«In our experience, our taxes have not gone down. We also own multiple properties and vehicles in Loudoun County and we have not experienced a reduction in our real estate or personal property tax burden,» the homeowner said.
The bill can rise even when tax rates fall if the assessed value increases.
ONE OF THE WORLD’S HOTTEST INDUSTRIES IS SPARKING A BLUE-COLLAR JOBS BOOM
That disconnect has raised questions about whether the industry’s financial benefits outweigh its impact on nearby communities. Little River District Supervisor Laura TeKrony said Loudoun County should limit data center development to industrial areas.
«I have not voted for one data center application since my term started in 2024,» TeKrony told Digital. «There are some things that matter more than additional tax revenue: our land, our water, our quality of life, and our community character.»
AMERICA’S REDDEST STATE CHASES BILLION-DOLLAR BOOM AS OTHERS SOUR ON MASSIVE EMERGING INDUSTRY
Residents told Digital they recognize the data centers are unlikely to go away. Instead, they want county leaders and operators to reduce the impact through sound barriers, ongoing noise monitoring and tax relief for homeowners living closest to the facilities.
«Trees are not a solution,» one resident said, arguing for a sound wall similar to those installed along major highways.
Another homeowner said nearby residents should receive property tax relief if the county continues approving data centers next to neighborhoods.
«If you ask me what the county can help us with, it’s reduce our property tax by at least 50%,» the resident said.
So while Americans are hopping the emerging tech boom will not negatively impact them, the nation’s AI ambitions have become impossible to ignore on Statesboro Place.
artificial intelligence, virginia, politics, energy, taxes
INTERNACIONAL
La construcción y las actividades inmobiliarias aportan cerca del 18% del Producto Interno Bruto en El Salvador
El 18% del producto interno bruto (PIB) proviene de la construcción y las actividades inmobiliarias, según afirmó Luis Rodríguez, director ejecutivo del Consejo de Alcaldes y Oficina de Planificación del Área Metropolitana de San Salvador (COAMSS/OPAMSS), durante una entrevista en La Tribu.
Rodríguez sostuvo que ese desempeño coloca al rubro como el principal aportante desde el sector privado. También señaló que la actividad mantiene una expansión por encima de los niveles habituales.
“El año pasado crecimos 30% y este año estamos un 12% arriba de ese 30%”, afirmó. El funcionario añadió que, frente a un año de comportamiento normal, el sector supera 40%.
Al explicar la cifra sobre el PIB, Rodríguez se refirió textualmente a “construcción y calidad, y actividades inmobiliarias”. Atribuyó el dinamismo a una cadena que incluye edificación, abastecimiento, logística, empleo, educación y financiamiento.
El director ejecutivo vinculó el desempeño del sector con la llegada de capital extranjero a proyectos de desarrollo y construcción. Según explicó, El Salvador registra un crecimiento que, a su juicio, no iguala el acumulado de Centroamérica.
El crédito sectorial para construcción y actividades inmobiliarias en nuevos proyectos supera los USD 1,500 millones, de acuerdo con las cifras citadas por Rodríguez. Esa cartera está 30% por encima de la registrada el año anterior, afirmó.
El funcionario explicó que la expansión no depende únicamente de la ejecución de las obras. También abarca préstamos para desarrolladores, financiamiento para compradores, proveedores, logística, seguros y servicios profesionales.
El mercado de seguros y fianzas ligado a la construcción creció 12% y superó los USD 500 millones, según Rodríguez. También indicó que el sector movilizó USD 1,130.9 millones en materias primas para abastecer los proyectos.
En los últimos dos años se crearon más de 1,800 empresas alrededor de la construcción, afirmó el director ejecutivo. Los servicios asociados al rubro, entre ellos estudios de arquitectura, despachos legales, estructuradores financieros y proveedores, crecieron en promedio 50%.
Rodríguez señaló que COAMSS/OPAMSS mantiene reuniones con la Cámara Salvadoreña de la Construcción (Casalco), la banca privada y entidades multilaterales para revisar el comportamiento de la actividad y evitar que el dinamismo se frene.
Empleo y mujeres en las obras de construcción
El sector registra alrededor de 187,000 empleos, según Rodríguez. Del total, 20% corresponde a mujeres que trabajan directamente en las obras.
El directivo vinculó la expansión del empleo con una migración de trabajadores desde varios sectores. Mencionó, entre ellos, a la maquila.
COAMSS/OPAMSS observa un mecanismo de capacitación desarrollado con empresas privadas para incorporar mujeres a los proyectos. Las interesadas llegan a las obras y reciben formación de acuerdo con la dimensión de cada desarrollo.
La capacitación puede comenzar con labores de limpieza y continuar con seguridad ocupacional. Después, las trabajadoras pueden pasar a tareas técnicas y, más adelante, asumir funciones de supervisión.
Rodríguez señaló que los proyectos ofrecen condiciones que pueden favorecer la permanencia laboral de las mujeres. Mencionó la cercanía de las obras con sus hogares y una jornada que, por lo general, no incluye fines de semana.
El funcionario indicó que la presencia femenina también se ha extendido hacia direcciones de diseño, comercialización y gerencias generales. Sin embargo, identificó el avance en obra como el cambio menos habitual dentro del rubro.
“Donde obviamente más ha ido pegando, y que era un poco atípico, era en la parte de volumen, que era la obra”, expresó.
COAMSS/OPAMSS da seguimiento a más de 725 proyectos en el área metropolitana. Rodríguez afirmó que esa cantidad permite sostener oportunidades laborales en distintos puntos del territorio.
La oferta se desplaza hacia vivienda media y asequible
Rodríguez descartó que el crecimiento del sector implique una sobreconstrucción. Explicó que, hace dos años, el ciclo se concentró en proyectos de lujo, aunque la oferta ahora se ha diversificado.
El segmento medio comenzó a expandirse este año, según el funcionario. También afirmó que ya hay crecimiento en vivienda asequible y de interés social.
“El lujo está entrando en un período de estabilidad, lo cual es normal. Luego ya las otras dos van para arriba, donde ahí está el grueso de la necesidad”, dijo.
El componente habitacional representa alrededor de 50% de los proyectos, de acuerdo con Rodríguez. El porcentaje puede variar, pero se mantiene como una parte mayoritaria de la actividad constructiva.
El funcionario ubicó el segmento de lujo en propiedades superiores a USD 250,000 y USD 280,000. La vivienda media, detalló, se sitúa entre USD 150,000 y USD 250,000.
Por debajo de ese rango aparece la vivienda asequible, con inmuebles de entre USD 100,000 y USD 150,000. Después se ubica la vivienda de interés social, bajo la administración del Ministerio de Vivienda.
Rodríguez mencionó una visita a Washington liderada por la ministra de Vivienda, Michelle Sol. En esa misión participaron representantes de COAMSS/OPAMSS, Casalco y empresarios para abordar financiamiento destinado a vivienda asequible.
El esquema contempla créditos de corto plazo para constructores y desarrolladores, además de préstamos de largo plazo para compradores. Rodríguez indicó que la banca multilateral puede facilitar condiciones para ambos frentes.
El Fondo Social para la Vivienda también forma parte de ese esquema para proyectos bajo la ley de interés social. Rodríguez destacó que los niveles de pago de los beneficiarios son altos y citó rangos de cumplimiento de entre 92% y 98%.
Sistemas industrializados y menor costo de vivienda
La vivienda asequible también depende de la incorporación de sistemas constructivos industrializados, según Rodríguez. Explicó que esas tecnologías permiten reducir tiempos, costos y mano de obra requerida.
El director ejecutivo aclaró que no se trata de viviendas de baja calidad. Señaló que los modelos pueden utilizar concreto y cumplir con las exigencias técnicas de construcción.
“Ahí cambia totalmente la matemática y eso permite que vayan bajando los precios y que se trabaje más volumen”, afirmó.
Cuando comenzó su gestión, dos empresas podían aplicar esos sistemas, según Rodríguez. Actualmente, aseguró, son ocho compañías las que cuentan con esa capacidad.
El Ministerio de Vivienda también ha desarrollado planes piloto para evaluar el desempeño de proyectos, inversiones y sistemas constructivos antes de ampliar la oferta de interés social.
Nejapa, Apopa y Surf City concentran nuevos desarrollos
Rodríguez identificó a Nejapa y Apopa como una zona destinada a consolidarse como distrito logístico e industrial. COAMSS/OPAMSS comenzó a planificar esa área hace dos años, afirmó.
El funcionario vinculó ese proceso con las condiciones de seguridad y la inversión pública en infraestructura vial. Mencionó una red de carreteras que conecta con las fronteras de Guatemala y Honduras y atraviesa el entorno de ambos municipios.
En esa zona, 67% de los proyectos corresponde a logística, según Rodríguez. También han comenzado a desarrollarse viviendas, comercios y servicios.
San Salvador Centro concentra la mayor actividad habitacional, de acuerdo con el director ejecutivo. San Salvador Este tiene el mayor movimiento logístico.
La Libertad Este registra una dinámica de proyectos mixtos. Surf City concentra desarrollos habitacionales de perfil turístico, mientras Santa Tecla participa en iniciativas similares a las de La Libertad Este.
Rodríguez mencionó una ampliación a cuatro carriles entre Surf City y El Zonte. También aludió a una intervención vial hacia el aeropuerto, relacionada con la expansión de Aeroman, el aeropuerto y Air City.
El funcionario afirmó que el crecimiento turístico exige inversiones en infraestructura y servicios. Dijo que, según datos de turismo citados durante la entrevista, 70% de los visitantes busca Surf City.
Apartamentos y comercios se proyectan en el centro de San Salvador
Rodríguez informó que se desarrolla un proyecto de apartamentos en el corredor entre el parque Cuscatlán y el centro histórico, cerca de la Rubén Darío.
La iniciativa tiene cerca de 80% de avance, según el funcionario. También adelantó que hay cuatro proyectos adicionales en ese perímetro.
Los nuevos desarrollos combinarían vivienda y comercio. Rodríguez explicó que la intención es extender la actividad del centro histórico hacia los sectores aledaños.
“El objetivo es hacer un brazo extensivo del centro histórico”, sostuvo.
El funcionario señaló que esos apartamentos podrían captar tanto a personas interesadas en vivir cerca de la actividad del centro como a compradores que buscan destinarlos al alquiler tradicional o temporal.
USD 7,126 millones en inversiones para el área metropolitana
El área metropolitana tiene un portafolio de inversión de USD 7,126 millones, según Rodríguez. El funcionario calculó que esa cartera podría aportar cerca de USD 1,200 millones en impuestos en menos de un año.
COAMSS/OPAMSS busca asesorar a desarrolladores, además de procesar permisos. Rodríguez explicó que esa tarea incluye orientar proyectos sobre usos de suelo, incentivos y alternativas para ampliar su rentabilidad urbana.
El funcionario afirmó que algunos grupos empresariales aumentaron sus carteras desde USD 350 millones hasta alrededor de USD 1,600 millones. También indicó que los portafolios de inversión se cuadruplicaron desde 2024.
La inteligencia artificial de OPAMSS para proyectos urbanos
Rodríguez anunció que COAMSS/OPAMSS lanzará NIX 2 el 24 de noviembre de 2026. La herramienta de inteligencia artificial busca facilitar la evaluación preliminar de proyectos urbanos e inmobiliarios.
La primera versión de NIX se concentró en estudiar las condiciones de suelo. La segunda permitirá planificar desarrollos desde la selección de un terreno hasta la proyección de costos, unidades, usos comerciales y materiales.
“Puedes ir diciéndole a la inteligencia artificial: ‘Mira, quiero hacer un proyecto de este tipo, tantos niveles, con estas características’. El mismo sistema te va prefactibilizando el proyecto”, explicó.
La herramienta podrá calcular la distribución de apartamentos de una, dos o tres habitaciones. También podrá sugerir si un desarrollo requiere un centro comercial u otros servicios complementarios.
construcción,El Salvador,desarrollo urbano,trabajadores,edificio,grúa
INTERNACIONAL
On the streets with Dr Oz as surprise fraud crackdown sends daycare directors scrambling
FLUSHING, N.Y. — Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services Administrator Dr. Mehmet Oz confronted employees at two New York City senior care centers over suspected Medicaid fraud, challenging their billing practices as Digital got an exclusive look at the crackdown in action.
Oz, accompanied by senior federal health officials, delivered warning letters to Kent Senior Care and Evergreen Adult Day Care in Flushing, Queens, during a broader fraud crackdown that involved the FBI, the Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General, the NYPD and other agencies.
The letters notified the facilities that their billing practices had raised concerns among federal authorities. The two visits by Oz were part of a broader crackdown in which CMS officials conducted more than 80 visits and delivered warning letters to providers across New York City on Tuesday.
Digital accompanied Oz as he pressed employees about questionable billing records and challenged their explanations for how taxpayer dollars were being spent.
DR. OZ NAMES 5 STATES IN FRAUD CRACKDOWN AS TRUMP ADMIN TARGETS MEDICAID ABUSE
«The whole experience was suspicious,» Oz told Digital in an exclusive interview following the visits.
Oz said federal authorities were conducting a broader crackdown that included arrests, search warrants and efforts to stop certain operators from billing Medicaid, although Digital did not independently witness those enforcement actions at either Queens facility.
Kent Senior Care declined comment during a phone call with Digital on Tuesday. Evergreen Adult Day Care did not immediately respond to Digital’s request for comment.
The first stop came around 8:30 a.m. at Kent Senior Care, where Oz entered the facility and personally handed its director a letter from the federal government notifying the business that its billing practices were under scrutiny.
FBI LAUNCHES ‘MOST WANTED FRAUDSTERS’ LIST AS DOJ CHARGES OHIO DEFENDANTS IN $30M MEDICAID SCHEME FOR KIDS
«The bills are much higher than they should be,» Oz told the director. «The billing is for more people. It doesn’t look very crowded here.»
The director pushed back during the exchange, explaining that it was still early and additional seniors would arrive later in the morning, as Oz questioned whether the facility’s Medicaid billing records accurately reflected its actual attendance.
The occupancy of the space was 70 persons, according to an observe posted maximum occupancy sign on the wall.
«The bills we’re getting are as though it’s completely full all the time,» Oz said.
FBI ADDS 2 FUGITIVES TO ‘MOST WANTED FRAUDSTERS’ LIST AMID HISTORIC $6.5B HEALTHCARE TAKEDOWN: PATEL
The director maintained that the facility billed only for seniors who actually attended, and that it required participants to sign attendance sheets.
«You’re getting this letter from the U.S. Government because we don’t believe you,» he told the director.
During the exchange, Oz also questioned why the center’s billing records appeared to reflect seniors attending five days a week when the director acknowledged that many participants typically attended only two or three days.
The director insisted the facility billed for actual attendance and said some seniors attended more frequently than others.
The confrontation intensified when Oz and other federal officials raised questions about specialized transportation services billed for seniors using wheelchairs.
DR OZ SAYS 800 HOSPICE PROVIDERS SUSPENDED IN CALIFORNIA OVER ALLEGED $1B MEDICARE FRAUD SCHEME
«I don’t see any wheelchairs here,» Oz told the director.
Digital observed seniors inside the facility, including individuals using walking aids, but did not see anyone using a wheelchair during the visit.
Another official said billing records included charges for specialized wheelchair transportation, raising questions about whether the services had been provided and which company was responsible for submitting the charges.
The director said some seniors had mobility difficulties, including those recovering from strokes, and that the facility had wheelchairs available. He also said that workers could have copied information from previous files instead of properly updating the billing codes as it applied to wheelchair use.
«Probably he just copy and pasted,» the director said.
MEDICAID PROVIDER ALLEGEDLY BILLED $165K FOR DEAD PATIENT’S RIDES AMONG FRAUD EXPOSED IN EXPLOSIVE REPORT
During the visit, Oz walked over to several mahjong tables set up inside the facility, questioning whether taxpayer dollars were being properly spent on the recreational activities offered through the Medicaid-funded program.
«Should the American taxpayers be paying so folks can play mahjong?» Oz asked the director.
The director defended the activity, explaining that mahjong helps seniors exercise their fingers, socialize and improve their memory, particularly those experiencing cognitive difficulties.
«It’s free for them, not free for the taxpayers,» Oz responded. «Is that what our federal tax dollars for Medicaid is supposed to go to? Or is it life-saving heart surgery? Or, you know, new therapies for cancer?»
Oz raised additional concerns about the facility’s attendance records after observing seniors entering without signing in, despite the director’s insistence that participants were required to document their attendance.
«People were just walking in there without signing anything,» Oz said. «And then after I showed up and he saw what we were doing with my team, he started collecting these documents to be signed.»
Oz said the apparent inconsistencies raised further questions about whether the facility’s attendance records accurately reflected the services being billed to Medicaid.
Digital also witnessed several seniors enter Kent Senior Care without immediately signing attendance sheets. Additional seniors who arrived later were instructed to sign in.
Social adult day care programs can provide eligible seniors with structured activities, supervision, meals and social support. Medicaid reimbursement depends on applicable program rules, individual eligibility and documentation of services provided.
TREASURY HAILS SUCCESS OF ANTI-FRAUD PROCESS THAT FLAGGED AND PREVENTED $99 MILLION IN PAYMENTS TO DEAD PEOPLE
At the second stop, Evergreen Adult Day Care, Oz confronted a floor manager over another set of billing discrepancies before examining the facility’s attendance records.
The manager told Oz that approximately 200 seniors attended the facility on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, compared with about 150 on Tuesdays and Thursdays, although it was unclear whether those figures represented total daily attendance or the number of seniors present at one time.
But Oz questioned those numbers after walking through the facility and observing significantly fewer people.
«So I look at maybe 25 people in the whole space now,» Oz said.
The manager disputed that estimate, explaining that some seniors were participating in classes while others had left to shop, visit a pharmacy or attend medical appointments.
«The numbers don’t seem to add up,» Oz responded.
Oz also questioned the manager about wheelchair-related billing, asking how many participants used wheelchairs.
TRUMP’S WAR ON FRAUD EXPANDS AS TREASURY LAUNCHES NEW SITE WITH WHISTLEBLOWER INCENTIVES
The manager initially indicated that none did before acknowledging that a small number of seniors used them.
«But you said there weren’t any, were you?» Oz pressed.
He subsequently discussed the apparent discrepancy with other federal officials accompanying him.
«I’m struck by how few people are here as well,» Oz said. «This makes me wonder how they sustain these billing levels.»
The visit took another turn when Oz examined the facility’s attendance books, which he said contained «fraud.»
Digital observed sign-in sheets that appeared to contain names entered for Oct. 22, and Oct. 23, dates that had not yet occurred at the time of the visit.
The entries dated Oct. 22 and Oct. 23, both after the visit, raised questions about whether the facility was documenting attendance in advance, although Digital could not immediately establish whether the entries were completed attendance records or advance schedules.
Oz said federal authorities believed organized criminal networks were exploiting the Medicaid-funded programs by offering seniors money to attend facilities and then billing the government for services that were not actually provided.
Oz alleged that individuals he described as being connected to the «Chinese mafia» were paying some seniors between $1,000 and $1,200 to participate in fraudulent billing arrangements, though the administrator did not identify a specific criminal organization or provide supporting evidence during the interview.
Oz said the federal government had identified significant spikes in billing across the industry and claimed that annual spending on the programs had approached $1 billion.
«We know from the billing here that there’s no way this business is running in the way that they claim to be running without something being wrong,» Oz told Digital.
«Is it an innocent mistake? A hundred times in a row, I don’t think so.»
Oz alleged that proceeds from fraudulent Medicaid billing schemes were being used to finance other criminal activities, including money laundering and human trafficking, although Digital had not independently verified those connections or established any such link to the two facilities visited.
«It’s really a clubhouse for crime,» Oz said while describing the alleged broader scheme.
He said fraud accelerated during the COVID-19 pandemic and criticized the previous administration for failing to address what he described as rapidly rising spending and suspicious billing.
New York Gov. Kathy Hochul acknowledged the crackdown on Tuesday, calling it part of a «massive effort to combat fraud and abuse» in Medicaid and confirming that state health officials had joined federal and state law enforcement in targeting suspected fraud at social adult day care programs.
While Oz personally delivered warning letters to the two Queens facilities, state, local and federal law enforcement officials were simultaneously conducting searches at other locations across New York City as part of the coordinated crackdown.
Specific details about the facilities targeted, individuals involved and evidence recovered were not immediately available as the investigations remained ongoing.
new york city, new york, politics, health
INTERNACIONAL
Reporter’s Notebook: France braces for more unrest after parts of Paris spun out of control
NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles!
PARIS, France: Paris is burning. Yet again. But this time, according to officials and analysts, it’s different. And unrest here could have a lasting impact on France… perhaps the world.
I have been covering protests in France for decades. I lived in Paris for nine years. I know that the French are very skilled at taking politics to the street. The recent upheaval has many worried.
From all the people I hear from on the ground here, the rioting has been more violent, more destructive, more profound. Domestic strife seemingly out of control.
FRANCE IS DEVOURING ITSELF AS SCHOOL RIOTS REVEAL A CRISIS FAR BIGGER THAN BROKEN CLASSROOMS
Greg Palkot, senior foreign affairs correspondent for Fox News Channel at the Place de la Republique in Paris. Oct. 19, 2026. (John Templeton/Fox News)
When I approached the bar at a brasserie near Place de la Republique, the server asked if I was an American and a journalist. After replying yes to both he concluded, «So you’ve come to cover the civil war.»
The numbers tell the tale. Some 2,500 arrests during the last weekend of clashes between protesters and police. Around 1,000 officers injured. Many hurt, some seriously, on the activists’ side. And about 3000 businesses impacted, trashed, looted. Damage estimated over one billion dollars.
FRANCE’S MASSIVE INTEL FAILURE SPARKS RESIGNATION OFFERS AMID DAYS OF RIOTING
Graffiti covers historic monument in the Place de la Republique. Paris, France. Oct 20, 2026. (John Templeton/Fox News)
What was most striking were the attacks on official buildings. An historic city hall in Limoge. A police headquarters in crime-ridden Marseille. An important tourist office in Lyon. Symbols of a French government under siege.
The mostly peaceful protests supporting recent student concerns, as well as working and middle-class economic worries, hijacked by those bent on anarchy. And opportunistic young crooks looking for cheap thrills.
Yes, there are immigrants and foreigners amid the rabble. Plus, those said to have ties with so-called «ultra-left» groupings. But this remains a very French uprising. Which in a way makes it even more unsettling.
Nearly ten years of rule by President Emmanuel Macron has left this country more divided, with promises unfilled, anger near the surface. And violence a real danger.
FRENCH NEWSPAPER RIPS MACRON AFTER RIOTS ERUPT ACROSS FRANCE: ‘INDELIBLE STAIN’
Burned-out cars litter the streets in Paris by the Place de la République (John Templeton/Fox News)
What was also deeply troubling about the latest bout of violence — and authorities have admitted it — is that there were periods of time when parts of Paris and other cities were out of control. Shop owners were forced to fend for themselves.
All of this plum pickings for politicians on the left and right. Either sympathizing with protesters’ demands. Or calling for more law and order. Both sides slamming those in power. With presidential elections upcoming in six months, timing is everything.
With the French treasury bare, it seems the more pressing and more promising route for the current authorities is greater security.
Graffiti on the wall by the Place de la Republique in Paris, France on Oct. 19, 2026. (John Templeton/Fox News)
That’s why top government officials have been speaking out about their planning for the next big protest set for this weekend. French Prime Minister Lecornu says it will be countered by a «massive police operation» backed by the military. Activists will have to choose, Lecornu went on to say, between «violence» and the French «republic.»
«Do or die» talk that still does not address the underlying problems, not just facing France but other countries as well. That’s why, in addition to the curiosity factor of everyone being intrigued by France, it could also provide some real-time lessons on how or how not to deal with a brave new world of inequality and dwindling resources.
See you at the «barricades.»
france, world protests, europe
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El Gobierno pone en marcha un nuevo plan de retiros voluntarios y busca que haya 20.000 empleados menos en el Estado
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“Feliz día a la mejor mamá del mundo”: el doble gesto del Chato Prada con Lourdes Sánchez y la reacción de ella
