2 October 2026
High school students across France set fires and clashed with police on Wednesday and Thursday, escalating nearly a week of disruption. As President Emmanuel Macron’s government weighs how to balance historic public debt with already strained state spending, an under-resourced, overstretched education sector lies at the root of students’ anger. Meanwhile, nationwide protests have erupted across Spain over soaring rent, evictions, and a lack of affordable housing. The protests began after the forced eviction of an elderly woman from her apartment. 0:00 Madrid lawmakers have rejected a bill that would address rising housing costs 0:43 French student protests stretch into a tenth day 1:59 Why this moment in France is different 4:46 Spain's riots could force an early election 6:55 G7 countries bow to pressure from Trump to release fuel from their diesel reserves
