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Thousands of people took to the streets of Kosovo's capital on Wednesday, demanding government action against widespread violence against women, as protesters splashed red paint on government buildings to accuse authorities of failing to prevent the killings. The demonstration in Pristina followed the killing of Arlinda Zekaj, 49, by her brother-in-law on Sunday near the western town of Peja. Activists said she was the eighth woman killed in domestic violence in Kosovo this year. The protesters, expressing anger over what they described as the state's failure to protect women in the traditionally patriarchal Balkan country, carried banners reading, "Do we have to die to be taken seriously?" Other messages painted in red included "Men kill women, the state stays silent" and "Down with the patriarchal system." Demonstrators also carried photographs of the women who had been murdered. Kosovo has enacted several laws and regulations to tackle violence against women, including life imprisonment for murderers. However, activists say the measures are not consistently enforced and that police, social services, prosecutors and courts often fail to coordinate their responses. Similar problems persist across the Balkans, where male dominance remains deeply rooted in tradition. Violence against women increased following the wars of the 1990s, amid political, economic and social crises that have continued in the region. Zekaj's killing, which sparked widespread public outrage, was particularly disturbing because she had previously appealed to authorities for protection, warning that her life was in danger. She held both US and Kosovo citizenship. In a letter to the chief prosecutor's office just three days before her death, Zekaj complained that officials were "shifting responsibility from one to another," allowing the threat to her life to persist. She had repeatedly reported violence by her husband and moved to her parents' home while seeking protection. After her husband was detained last weekend over family violence, Zekaj returned to her home. According to a relative, police did not provide an escort, and her brother-in-law killed her with an axe when she arrived. The suspect fled after the killing and was arrested several days later after remaining on the run. He faces allegations of murder with a sharp object. Neither he nor the husband has commented on the allegations. The Kosovo Women's Network, one of the organisations behind the protest, said the case raised serious concerns about possible institutional failures. "This case raises serious questions about a possible failure in the chain of institutions," the group said, stressing that all relevant authorities must work together when a woman seeks help. In response to the killing, Kosovo's Parliament held an emergency session on Monday and formed a parliamentary investigative committee to examine whether institutions had failed in their responsibilities. Prime Minister Albin Kurti also criticised the authorities, describing the case as a "systemic chain of failures by the institutions responsible for security and justice." "A murder preceded by such warnings that went unanswered could hardly have ended any other way," Kurti told a government session on Wednesday. "And that makes the situation even more unforgivable." According to the Justice Ministry, police recorded 2,815 reports of domestic violence in Kosovo in 2025. The country has a population of around 2 million. Since life imprisonment for murder was introduced in 2012, three men have received the sentence for killing their partners.

At least 68 people were killed and dozens injured when a high-speed train crashed into another train that had stopped on the tracks in Spain on Wednesday, marking the country's second deadly rail collision this year. The regional government of Castilla-La Mancha confirmed the death toll, saying another 58 people were receiving treatment at hospitals. Rescue teams continued searching the wreckage throughout the day for survivors and bodies. The collision occurred just nine months after another deadly crash involving high-speed trains operated by the same two companies in southern Spain in January. "Today all of Spain is grieving," Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez said during a visit to the crash site, announcing that his government would declare three days of national mourning. Sánchez called for stronger safety measures to restore public confidence in the country's high-speed rail system, which was once a source of national pride. "It is unacceptable for a country like Spain to suffer two high-speed rail accidents in the same year," Sánchez said. He faces an election on November 29. Spain's railway infrastructure operator ADIF said the accident occurred on Wednesday morning in the central province of Toledo, involving two high-speed trains carrying hundreds of passengers and travelling south from Madrid towards Seville. A train operated by state-owned RENFE struck the rear of a stationary train operated by private company IRYO. The collision derailed two rear carriages of the IRYO train and the front of the RENFE train. Samy Paul, a British tourist who was rescued from the RENFE train, described the impact to The Associated Press. "Suddenly, everything started falling apart. Bang! We fell down," he said. "We realized carriage two, carriage one, all gone, all smashed. There was blood all over." David Gómez, a construction worker who was working nearby, told Spanish newspaper El País that he rushed to help after hearing the crash. "People were trying to get out through the windows ... We cut through some fences to access the area and treated people with the first-aid kits we had brought until emergency services arrived," he said. He added that while trying to pull a young woman from the wreckage, he found a severed leg. Rail services between Madrid, Ciudad Real and Andalusia were suspended following the collision. Transport minister points to 'inexplicable' decision Spanish Transport Minister Óscar Puente blamed what he described as an "inexplicable" decision by the central command centre responsible for the country's rail network after a safety system failed. He said the train drivers were not responsible for the crash. Puente said the safety system on a 63-kilometre (39-mile) stretch of track stopped functioning at 8:30am because of a computer malfunction, forcing all trains in the affected section to stop. However, the central command centre subsequently instructed the RENFE train to resume running without any speed restrictions. It collided with the stationary IRYO train at 8:53am, he said. According to the minister, the RENFE train should not have been allowed to move while a stop signal remained active on the line. Even if it had been permitted to proceed, it should have been instructed to travel at a reduced speed. Authorities were still examining data to determine the train's speed at the time of the collision, but it might have been travelling at up to 200 kilometres per hour (124 miles per hour), Puente said. "I am not attributing responsibility to anyone, I am just stating the facts," he said. Passengers describe terrifying impact The collision occurred on a flat stretch of railway surrounded by olive groves between the towns of Urda and Los Yébenes. It left carriages torn into pieces of metal and other debris scattered down a gravel slope. Ignacio Relaño, a passenger on the RENFE train, told state broadcaster TVE that the train had briefly stopped before moving again and crashing into the IRYO train. "We all felt the train abruptly slowing down and then the impact," he said. "The car leaned to one side like it was about to tip over. I hit my nose, everything went flying, luggage, cell phones. Everything shook," he added. Authorities said the RENFE train was carrying 397 passengers, while 147 people were aboard the IRYO train. Ambulances and medical helicopters transported the injured from the scene, while uninjured survivors were evacuated by bus. A military emergency brigade was also deployed to assist rescue operations. Spain's King Felipe VI visited the crash site. "We share in the grief of the families and loved ones of those who lost their lives, and we send our heartfelt support to the injured and all those affected," the Spanish royal family said in a statement. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen also expressed condolences, saying, "My heart goes out to the victims' families and loved ones. Today, Europe mourns with you." Spain's football federation postponed all 24 Copa del Rey matches scheduled for Wednesday. Second deadly rail collision this year The wreckage of Wednesday's accident recalled the January collision in southern Spain that killed 46 people when an IRYO train derailed and struck an oncoming RENFE train. The impact sent the first two carriages of the struck train down a four-metre (13-foot) slope. That accident was Spain's deadliest rail disaster since a 2013 crash that killed 80 people. Before this year, Spain had not experienced a fatal accident on its dedicated high-speed railway lines since the network opened in 1992. Spain among global leaders in high-speed rail Spain has invested heavily in high-speed rail over recent decades, becoming one of the world's leading countries in the sector. The country's railway union defines high-speed rail as lines designed for trains travelling at 250 kilometres per hour (155 miles per hour) or faster. Spain has built around 3,900 kilometres (2,400 miles) of such railway lines over more than three decades for its population of 49 million. Only China, with 45,000 kilometres (28,000 miles) of high-speed tracks serving a population of 1.4 billion, has a larger network, according to the International Union of Railways. Spain only recently opened its rail network to private operators to compete with state-owned RENFE. Italian-owned IRYO began operating in the country in 2022. Joan Rodríguez, a spokesperson for Spain's train workers' union, said the increase in rail traffic following the sector's liberalisation had placed additional pressure on the infrastructure. "We are not convinced that the liberalization of the high-speed passenger rail service was matched by the necessary upkeep of the lines," Rodríguez told TVE on Wednesday. "I am not saying it was a determining factor (in the crashes), but yes, the increase in use of the network is a factor to keep in mind," he added.

Serbia’s student movement has won a major election victory over longtime leader Aleksandar Vucic, but fulfilling its promises of democratic reforms will be difficult amid entrenched corruption, political divisions and high public expectations. The leaderless movement, whose candidates have limited political experience, has pledged to fight corruption, ensure media freedom and restore the rule of law after Vucic’s 14 years in power. Preliminary results indicate that the Students’ List will secure 140 seats in the 250-member Parliament, compared with 104 for Vucic’s Serbian Progressive Party. However, appeals and possible polling reruns could delay the formation of a new government. The transition may also require a separate presidential election following Vucic’s resignation last month to lead his party in the parliamentary race. Tensions have surfaced since the victory, including incidents at pro-Vucic television stations. Journalists’ associations have also asked the media regulator to revoke Informer TV’s broadcasting licence. Fighting corruption will be another major challenge, with the students promising police and judicial reforms, independent oversight and reviews of major government projects. The movement has yet to clarify its position on Serbia’s EU membership bid and relations with Russia. Some of its officials have indicated that the country’s policy on sanctions against Moscow will remain unchanged, potentially disappointing supporters seeking closer ties with the West. EU Enlargement Commissioner Marta Kos has welcomed the proposed reforms, saying they could bring Serbia closer to the European Union.

Bulgaria's presidential election is heading for a runoff on November 1 after a record-low voter turnout left the first round inconclusive, with pro-Western opposition candidate Andrey Gyurov performing stronger than expected against incumbent President Iliana Yotova. The contest has exposed deep divisions over the country's foreign policy, particularly its relations with Russia and its support for Ukraine, amid growing public frustration with politicians and widespread voter apathy. Bulgarians went to the polls on Sunday in an election shaped by mounting economic difficulties and security concerns following drone attacks on commercial vessels in the Black Sea. The vote also marked the first major test for Prime Minister Rumen Radev's Moscow-friendly Progressive Bulgaria party since its victory in the parliamentary election in April. With 27 candidates in the race, neither Yotova nor Gyurov was expected to secure an outright victory in the first round. Projections put voter turnout below 40%, well short of the threshold of more than 50% of the country's 6.6 million registered voters required for the election to be decided in the first round. Initial exit polls were expected after polling stations closed at 8pm, with preliminary results due on Monday. Yotova seeks her own mandate Yotova, 62, a former journalist and member of the European Parliament, entered the election as the frontrunner. She previously served as vice president under Radev during his two terms as president. She assumed the presidency in January 2026 after Radev stepped down to contest the parliamentary election. Now running as an independent, she has the backing of Progressive Bulgaria and the Socialist Party, where she began her political career. If elected, Yotova would become Bulgaria's first directly elected female president. Analysts expect her to broadly continue Radev's policy of keeping Bulgaria on its European path while advocating better relations with Russia and the lifting of sanctions against Moscow. Both leaders have called for a diplomatic settlement to the war in Ukraine. Addressing supporters at a rally earlier this week, Yotova said she “advocated for peace through negotiations, rather than force”. Observers warn that her victory could further concentrate power in the hands of the ruling majority, potentially weakening institutional checks and balances on government decisions. Gyurov offers pro-Western alternative Gyurov, an economist and former deputy governor of Bulgaria's central bank, served as caretaker prime minister during the early months of 2026. He is backed by pro-Western reformist opposition parties. A strong supporter of Ukraine, Gyurov signed a security cooperation agreement with Kyiv while serving as prime minister. “I want Bulgaria to have a voice of its own in Europe. A reliable NATO ally that defends its interests through preparedness, strong diplomacy and a clear position,” he told supporters this week. Recent opinion polls had placed Yotova ahead in the first round, with support ranging from 40% to 45%, compared with Gyurov's 25% to 30%. The margin of error was three percentage points. However, some observers believe Gyurov could perform better in the runoff by attracting voters whose preferred candidates fail to advance from the first round. War in Ukraine, economic hardship dominate campaign Russia's invasion of Ukraine and growing hostilities in the Black Sea featured prominently in the campaign. Recent drone attacks on commercial vessels off Bulgaria's coast have raised security concerns in the European Union and NATO member country. The incidents have fuelled fears that Russia could escalate the conflict and prompted the Bulgarian government to seek assistance from its international partners to strengthen maritime security. Candidates also addressed public concerns over rising energy prices and inflation, which have placed increasing pressure on household budgets, particularly in rural areas. Bulgaria elects its president directly for a five-year term, with a maximum of two terms allowed. Although the presidency is largely ceremonial, the direct mandate gives the office considerable political influence. The president serves as commander-in-chief of the armed forces, can veto legislation, signs international treaties and appoints ambassadors.

Long queues formed outside polling stations across Serbia on Sunday as voters took part in a closely contested parliamentary election pitting the country's dominant leader, Aleksandar Vucic, against a diverse student-led movement that has spearheaded protests against his government for nearly two years. Although Serbia's 6.4 million voters could choose from 18 parties seeking seats in the 250-member Parliament, the election has largely turned into a contest between Vucic's right-wing Serbian Progressive Party (SNS) and the youth-backed Students' List. The two main contenders were believed to be running neck and neck, making the election one of the most uncertain in recent years. High turnout was expected to leave many smaller parties struggling to cross the 3% threshold required to enter Parliament. Vucic, who has repeatedly outmanoeuvred Serbia's divided opposition, is facing a formidable challenge from the leaderless student movement, which has shaken his hold on power more than any other force since his party took office 14 years ago. A victory for the students could also have implications beyond Serbia, as youth-led and student protests have spread across several European countries. Long queues at polling stations Voters began lining up at polling stations across the country early on Sunday, with local election monitors reporting significantly higher turnout than in previous elections. The state election commission said around 35% of eligible voters had cast their ballots by noon, compared with 21% at the same time in 2023. The student movement described the long queues nationwide as “queues of hope” on its website. In the capital Belgrade, Vucic waited nearly two hours with his wife before casting his ballot. He later told reporters that he hoped for a peaceful election day and that he and his party would respect the result. “The will of the people is the will of God: vox populi, vox dei,” Vucic said. “If we lose, we will recognize the electoral will. If we win, no one will take it away from us.” Vucic said his camp would announce reliable projections about three hours after polling stations closed at 8pm local time. Asked whether the apparently high turnout indicated that voters wanted change, he said, “Let's wait for the result.” After voting in the northern Serbian city of Novi Sad, Ilija Srdanovic, a physician who is the first candidate on the youth movement's list of 250 candidates, said the long queues indicated “record turnout in Serbia's recent history.” “I hope that this day will pass in a democratic atmosphere and in peace and that we will legitimately choose a new government in Serbia,” Srdanovic said. Opposition groups and some independent monitoring organisations have warned of possible irregularities during the voting process. Local monitors reported incidents involving the photographing of ballots, which they said could indicate pressure on voters, as well as attempted vote-buying and carousel voting. At a polling station in Belgrade, voter Jovan Mitrovic said he hoped the election would proceed peacefully and conclude smoothly, adding that he wanted “the dawn finally rises in this country after many years.” Election closely watched by EU The European Union is closely monitoring the election in Serbia, a candidate country for EU membership, following irregularities reported in previous polls. International and local election monitors have already raised concerns about the safety and fairness of a campaign marked by detentions, near-total government control over the media, and reports of surveillance and cyberattacks targeting activists. Local elections held earlier this year in 10 Serbian municipalities were marred by violent attacks on journalists and activists. The 2023 parliamentary election was followed by opposition protests over alleged electoral fraud. Vucic seeks return as prime minister If his SNS party secures the most votes, Vucic is expected to become prime minister after serving nearly two full terms as president. He resigned from the presidency last month to lead his party's election campaign. Support for the populist party has declined since 16 people were killed two years ago when a concrete canopy collapsed at a railway station in northern Serbia, triggering widespread youth protests demanding accountability and justice for the victims. The disaster fuelled broader allegations of high-level corruption and cronyism. Protesters accused corruption of contributing to negligence during renovation work at the Novi Sad railway station, ultimately leading to the collapse. Despite the protests, Vucic retains considerable support among Serbian voters. His supporters view him as a capable leader who can guide the country through global uncertainty, an image reinforced by mainstream media coverage. Students' List offers a different approach The newly formed Students' List is unlike other political organisations in Serbia. Although driven by university students, none of the students themselves appear on the candidate list. Instead, it features relatively unknown experts, athletes, farmers and artists. The approach is intended to challenge Vucic's personalised style of rule and restore a sense of community and solidarity. Its campaign slogan, “We know how”, promises a non-partisan effort to rebuild Serbia's economy and democracy following a change of government. Drawing on their youthful energy, the students have attracted voters disillusioned with established politicians. Despite being criticised by pro-government media, they have travelled by bicycle and on foot across the country to reach voters in rural areas, traditionally strongholds of Vucic's party. Election outcome remains uncertain Election surveys have produced varying results, with both camps claiming to be ahead. Some analysts have warned of possible post-election instability if the contest ends in a close result. Vucic has said his side would accept defeat if it lost the election. However, he has also warned that any protests alleging fraud if his party wins would be swiftly suppressed. The state election commission is not expected to release the official results before Monday. Magda Anastasijevic, an Eastern Europe analyst at conflict monitor ACLED, said electoral violence had been increasing in Serbia and could escalate, “particularly if the results are disputed.”

The second of two storms to hit the United Kingdom this weekend caused widespread travel disruptions and power outages across Scotland, Northern Ireland and northern England on Sunday. The Met Office, the UK's national weather forecaster, warned that Storm Boelo could pose a danger to life from flying debris and crashing waves, urging people to remain indoors as much as possible. Wind gusts exceeding 80 mph (128 kph) have already been recorded in Scotland, including on the island of Tiree in the Inner Hebrides. An amber wind warning, the Met Office's second-highest level of alert, remains in effect across Scotland and northern England until late Sunday. Flood warnings are also in place, while air, ferry, rail and road services have been disrupted. Power outages have been reported across Scotland in particular, affecting more than 30,000 homes. Storm Boelo, pronounced "Boo-Loh", followed closely on the heels of Storm Austen, which battered southern England on Friday. The National Grid, which distributes electricity across the UK, said power had been restored to more than 130,000 properties affected by Austen by 7pm on Saturday. The Met Office began naming major storms in 2015 to help keep the public informed about severe weather. Storms are named in alphabetical order during each season, which runs from September to August. Strong winds and heavy rain were also forecast throughout Sunday in Denmark, Norway and parts of Sweden. Some ferries in the region were cancelled, train services on certain Swedish routes were suspended as a precaution, and some trailers were barred from crossing Denmark's Great Belt Bridge.

Serbians went to the polls on Sunday in a closely contested parliamentary election seen as a major test for populist leader Aleksandar Vucic and his ruling Serbian Progressive Party (SNS) amid a prolonged student-led protest movement. Around 6.4 million eligible voters are choosing among 18 parties competing for seats in the 250-member parliament. However, the contest has largely turned into a face-off between Vucic's right-wing SNS and the youth-backed Students' List. The two main contenders are believed to be running neck-and-neck, making the election one of the most uncertain in recent years. Turnout is expected to be high, potentially leaving smaller parties struggling to cross the 3 percent threshold required to enter parliament. Vucic has repeatedly outmanoeuvred Serbia's fragmented opposition, but the leaderless student movement has emerged as a significant challenge to his grip on power over the past 14 years. A victory for the students could have wider implications across Europe, where youth-led and student protests have become increasingly prominent. The election is also being closely monitored by the European Union as Serbia seeks membership in the bloc. Previous elections have been marred by allegations of irregularities, while international and domestic observers have raised concerns about campaign safety and fairness. The campaign has been marked by detentions, extensive government control over the media and reports of surveillance and cyberattacks targeting activists. Local elections held earlier this year in 10 Serbian municipalities saw violent attacks on journalists and activists, while the 2023 parliamentary election triggered opposition protests over alleged fraud. Vucic is seeking a return as prime minister if his SNS wins the most votes. He resigned as president last month to lead the campaign after serving nearly two full terms. The ruling party's popularity has declined since 16 people were killed two years ago when a concrete canopy collapsed at a railway station in the northern city of Novi Sad. The disaster triggered months of youth-led protests demanding accountability and justice for the victims. Protesters have blamed alleged high-level corruption and cronyism for negligence during renovation work at the station, which they say contributed to the collapse. Despite the unrest, Vucic retains considerable support, with his admirers viewing him as a capable leader who can guide Serbia through global uncertainties. His image has been reinforced by mainstream media coverage. The Students' List is a new political initiative led by university students, although the students themselves are not among its candidates. Instead, the list features relatively unknown experts, athletes, farmers and artists. The initiative seeks to challenge Vucic's highly centralised leadership and promote community solidarity. Its campaign slogan, “We know how,” promises a non-partisan effort to rebuild Serbia's economy and democracy following a change of government. The movement has attracted voters disillusioned with established politicians. Despite criticism from pro-government media, student activists have travelled by bicycle and on foot through the country to reach voters in rural areas, traditionally strongholds of Vucic's party. Opinion polls have produced mixed results, with both camps claiming they are ahead. Analysts have warned of possible post-election instability if the outcome is close. Vucic has said his side would accept defeat if it lost, but has also warned that any protests alleging fraud after an SNS victory would be swiftly suppressed. The state election commission is not expected to publish the official results before Monday. Magda Anastasijevic, an Eastern Europe analyst at conflict monitor ACLED, said electoral violence had recently increased in Serbia and could escalate further, particularly if the results were disputed.

More than a month of unrest that started with protests in high schools for more funding and teachers is testing Macron’s authority in the final months of his presidency before voters choose his successor in May. The stakes are high: The far-right National Rally party has accused his government of failing to protect the public and urged people to channel their anger into votes for its candidate Marine Le Pen. On the far left, presidential candidate Jean-Luc Mélenchon has backed demonstrators and criticized policing that has left some teenage protesters with life-changing injuries. As dusk fell Saturday, violence erupted at the end of some of the 289 protests counted by the Interior Ministry nationwide. Street fires burned in the cities of Marseille and Lyon. Police used tear gas in Lyon, Clermont-Ferrand, Strasbourg and Bordeaux and water cannons in Nice and Nantes, French media reported. In Nice, far-right extremists fought with demonstrators downtown and 11 people were arrested, regional authorities said. Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez said police made nearly 1,000 arrests but added that the number is expected to increase significantly as more are counted. Nuñez said beefed-up policing, with 70,000 officers backed by helicopters, armored vehicles and other support, helped prevent a repeat of widespread looting and damage to shops the previous weekend.  

Thousands of students and workers marched in Paris and other French cities on Saturday to demand better education funding and relief from rising living costs, putting President Emmanuel Macron under pressure amid concerns over renewed violence following last weekend’s riots and looting. Police used tear gas in Lyon, where authorities had banned the rally, while officers in Clermont-Ferrand deployed tear gas and stun grenades to disperse demonstrators attempting to reach the city centre, French media reported. France’s Interior Ministry said 35,000 people had demonstrated nationwide by 1pm, compared with 60,000 at the same time a week earlier. Authorities planned to deploy up to 70,000 officers, supported by helicopters, armoured vehicles and water cannons, to prevent further looting, car burnings and attacks on public buildings. In Paris, authorities restricted the march to the southeastern outskirts of the city. Tens of thousands of people were seen marching from Porte d’Italie, although the crowd appeared smaller than the previous week. Trade unions led the procession, followed by demonstrators carrying flags and placards. The protests began last month over staff shortages at a high school southeast of Paris but have since spread nationwide, drawing students demanding better educational facilities and workers seeking higher wages and pensions. Energy prices in France rose 21.3% in September from a year earlier, contributing to overall inflation of 3.1%, according to the national statistics agency INSEE. Macron met high school representatives on Friday. They said he had promised reforms to university admissions but insisted that protests would continue until concrete measures were announced. More than 500,000 people took to the streets last Saturday, when around 3,000 shops across France were damaged or looted. Security tightened across France Shopkeepers in Paris boarded up their storefronts, while gendarmes guarded the area beneath the Arc de Triomphe. Several major museums, including the Louvre, Orsay Museum, Picasso Museum and Grand Palais, remained closed on Saturday. Art Basel, a major contemporary art fair that opened to the public on Friday, cancelled its weekend programme because of concerns over unrest. Police also changed the route of the Paris march. At Bastille, the original starting point, officers used loudspeakers to order people to leave or face a 135-euro fine. Soumaya Abed, a 58-year-old nurse and CGT union member, said she had participated in protests for more than 30 years but had never seen a march begin at Porte d’Italie. She accused authorities of using last weekend’s violence as an excuse to restrict demonstrations, saying it would not stop students from demanding better school conditions. Authorities banned rallies in several cities, including Nice, Montpellier and Lyon. Trade unions criticised the restrictions as violations of constitutionally protected freedom of expression. Thousands also marched peacefully in Orléans, south of Paris, against the far right as Marine Le Pen’s National Rally held a two-day congress there. Macron’s popularity has fallen to its lowest level since he took office in 2017. He has defended the security measures as necessary to protect city centres, businesses and public buildings. Interior Minister Nuñez acknowledged on Monday that police had lost control in some cities during last weekend’s unrest. He offered to resign, but Macron rejected the offer. Students demand more university places Student groups are demanding 250,000 additional places in higher education and an end to selection through Parcoursup, the national university admissions system. Their 10-point plan also calls for more teachers and repairs to schools and universities. According to Education Ministry figures, public middle and high schools lost 15.4 million teaching hours during the 2024-25 school year because absent teachers were not replaced, accounting for 7.5% of scheduled teaching time. Students are also seeking financial assistance, including an additional 200 euros a month in grants and a freeze on rents in public student housing. “The money is now concentrated in the hands of very few people,” said Victoria Ambrosini, an art critic and art teacher at Saint-Denis University.

Italy deployed 500 additional soldiers to Milan on Saturday as authorities tightened security ahead of fresh protests, a week after looting and clashes with police. The deployment will reinforce hundreds of troops already stationed in the city and support around 5,000 police and other security personnel. Luxury stores, including Gucci, Tiffany and Omega, boarded up their windows amid fears of renewed violence. Police said last weekend’s unrest involved around 2,000 young protesters, with 45 people arrested, including 34 minors. Defence Minister Guido Crosetto said soldiers lacked some equipment needed for public-order operations. Protests also took place in Rome, while demonstrations spread across Europe over issues including education, corruption, pensions, housing costs and opposition to war. In Albania’s capital Tirana, riot police used water cannons against protesters demanding lower tuition fees and action against corruption. Some demonstrators also called for the resignation of Prime Minister Edi Rama. In Madrid, thousands marched to demand protection for public pensions ahead of next month’s snap election. Housing affordability remains another major concern in Spain, where rising rents and home prices have triggered widespread protests. In Lisbon, protesters prepared to march for affordable housing, opposing government measures to ease rent-increase restrictions and facilitate the eviction of tenants who fail to pay.