UPDATE 1 — French protesters take to streets over rising prices and social strain

(Recasts, adds detail at paragraphs 2-3, quote in paragraph 4) By Clotaire Achi and Janis Laizans PARIS, Oct 17 (Reuters) — Demonstrations began across France on Saturday in what was expected to become a major nationwide protest against high prices and the fraying of a model intended to provide a basic level of opportunity and social security. The protests began last ‌month at high schools in Paris' poor northern suburbs, where anger over teacher absences and shabby facilities quickly morphed into a nationwide movement against inequality, weak public spending and falling standards. A large police presence was visible in central Paris, especially near landmarks such as the Avenue des Champs-Elysees and the Arc de Triomphe, which were excluded from the routes of the two official demonstrations. Hundreds of other protests were planned across France, with tens of thousands set to participate. Protesters in hi-vis vests blocked streets, an echo of the unrest that dogged President Emmanuel Macron's previous term, while in Marseille, trash cans were set alight. "We are fighting because the cost of living is too harsh, because the price of fuel is too high, because high school pupils are b