European protests over costs and education turn violent in Italy and Belgium

Anti-government protests in France have spread across Europe, with simultaneous demonstrations in Italy, Belgium, Portugal, and Albania over living costs and education issues, leading to violent clashes between police and protesters in multiple cities. In Milan, Italy, protesters threw stones and objects at police, who responded with tear gas, prompting shop closures and metro station shutdowns. Bologna also saw violence with water cannons deployed and seven arrests. Belgian police used tear gas and water cannons in Brussels and Liege, arresting around ten people. In Portugal, tens of thousands marched in Lisbon against rising living costs and the housing crisis. Albania's capital Tirana saw a fifth consecutive day of protests, with police using rubber bullets against demonstrators demanding the prime minister's resignation, resulting in 167 arrests and 388 criminal proceedings this week.