French high school blockades resume as youth protests restart after holidays

■ Steady

French high school blockades resume Monday as student unions reject government concessions

Students returning from autumn holidays blocked some high schools on Monday, seeking to revive the protest movement despite concessions the government made during the break. On Sunday, French officials opened an attempted murder investigation after a petrol bomb was thrown at riot police. Police fired tear gas as the protests entered a third week. Macron has urged classes to resume, while student groups say the new education measures are insufficient.

• On Saturday the interior ministry estimated 320,000 demonstrators nationwide, fewer than on the previous two Saturdays, with clashes in Paris and other cities.
• Protests in Germany, Switzerland, Portugal and Albania also turned violent, with police clearing camps in Portugal and Swiss security forces attacked with paving stones.
• Gen Z protests hit 34 German cities, where protesters clashed with police, citing rising living costs and military spending.
• Macron denied the government had considered suspending social media platforms but said they must be vigilant against misuse.