German unions launch wave of strikes over cost of living

■ Steady

French high school blockades resume Monday as student protests restart after holidays

Students returning from autumn holidays blocked some high schools in France on Monday, aiming to revive the protest movement despite government concessions made during the break. On Sunday, French officials opened an attempted murder investigation after a petrol bomb was thrown at riot police, and protests in several European countries turned violent. Later on Monday, German unions launched expanded strikes over cost of living, amid wider unrest in Europe.

• Student unions said blockades would restart Monday; Macron has urged classes to resume after the government announced education measures that student groups consider insufficient.
• An attempted murder investigation was opened over a petrol bomb thrown at French riot police; protests in Germany, Switzerland, Portugal and Albania also turned violent.
• 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 spread to 34 cities, with clashes with police reported.