France's cost-of-living protests spread across Europe

Hundreds were arrested and buildings set ablaze across France on Saturday as cost-of-living protests escalated, with police firing tear gas in Paris and violence reported in several other cities, testing President Emmanuel Macron's leadership. The movement began in September with student demonstrations over poor high school conditions, including understaffing and dilapidated facilities, before expanding to include broader grievances about living costs and the welfare system. Unions backed Saturday's protests, drawing tens of thousands onto the streets. Police have made over 6,600 arrests, and injuries to teenagers from police weapons have drawn criticism. The unrest has become a political issue ahead of the presidential election, with candidates responding differently, while smaller student protests have also occurred in Belgium and Italy.