Student Protests in Liege Turn Violent, Calm Restored

Calm has returned to Liege, Belgium, after student protests on Monday turned violent, with rioters setting fire to a bus shelter near the opera and damaging vehicles, leading to police intervention with tear gas. The protests began peacefully outside schools but escalated in the afternoon when troublemakers joined, destroying surveillance cameras and throwing projectiles. Police reported 18 officers lightly injured, 23 administrative arrests, and 7 judicial arrests. Students are protesting education reforms, including teacher layoffs and a 1,200 euro tuition fee increase. They plan to continue mobilizing this week, though some fear their academic year may be jeopardized.