Violent protests erupt across European cities as unrest spreads

Violent protests have erupted across multiple European cities, with authorities using tear gas and water cannons to disperse crowds amid widespread destruction and looting. Demonstrations in France began with over half a million peaceful protesters but turned violent as masked activists looted streets, with students leading calls for better school funding and conditions. In Spain, protests were triggered by housing costs after an 87-year-old woman's eviction and subsequent death, with similar unrest spreading to Lisbon and Milan. European leaders have condemned the violence, with Italy's prime minister calling rioters "hooligans" and Belgium's interior minister vowing to restore order. An estimated 1,500 shops were looted in France, where around 1,000 police officers were injured on November 17.