Europe
WorldThe latest on Europe from our World desk.
Italy deploys 500 soldiers to Milan after violent protests
Italy plans to send 500 soldiers to Milan after protests over the cost of living escalated into clashes, looting and vandalism. Police detained 271 young people during unrest on Saturday and Sunday, and officials say demonstrations are planned again on Saturday. Luxury shops in the city’s fashion district have closed or removed merchandise as authorities consider tougher security measures.
France’s growing debt woes push borrowing costs higher
France’s borrowing costs have climbed as protests and political deadlock deepen investor concerns over public finances. The 10-year bond yield reached 4.94% on Monday, while the government faces a difficult budget debate. Rising yields mean more tax revenue must go toward servicing debt, leaving less room for public services as protesters demand cost-of-living relief and better-funded schools.
Train disruption lines Manchester: cancellations and delays
An electricity supply failure near Preston disrupted rail services between Preston and Bolton, affecting Northern and TransPennine Express routes to Manchester Airport. Although the lines reopened at around 9.30am, National Rail warned that cancellations, diversions and delays of up to 45 minutes could continue until 3pm. Passengers were advised to check their full journey and could use specified replacement buses and other services at no extra cost.
Rocket plane travel space: Cornwall deal eyes daily flights
Spaceport Cornwall and Dawn Aerospace have signed an agreement to explore operating Aurora flights from Newquay. The reusable rocket-powered aircraft is designed to reach altitudes of up to 100km and could turn around in as little as four hours. The plan remains under assessment, with the partners examining what a regular UK service would require.
Freshfields Apologises Over Leaked Email on Middle Eastern Investors
Freshfields apologised after an email exchange about investment for a legal AI venture was leaked. The firm said comments about Middle Eastern sovereign wealth investors did not reflect its position and expressed regret for the offence caused. The exchange involved Ethan Klingsberg and global managing partner Alan Mason, according to The Independent’s report of Financial Times coverage.
EU Arctic Draft Drops Explicit Call for Drilling Moratorium
A European Union draft Arctic strategy drops an explicit reference to a moratorium on new oil and gas drilling, departing from the bloc’s 2021 wording. It still says the EU will prioritize renewables and hydrocarbons produced outside the Arctic, and calls for fossil fuels to remain in the ground in line with its climate targets. Norway has pressed the EU to abandon its opposition to Arctic exploration.
CINEA Connects Ocean Energy Stakeholders at The Hague Event
More than 500 ocean energy professionals met in The Hague for the International Conference on Ocean Energy 2026. CINEA presented EU funding programmes, answered questions from participants and discussed current projects with coordinators and beneficiaries. The event also featured wave and tidal energy projects supported through Horizon Europe and the Innovation Fund, alongside an exhibition and visits to projects in the Netherlands.
French Bond Sell-Off Deepens as Protest Risks Fuel Investor Worries
French government bonds and shares fell after violent protests over the weekend, as investors weighed political uncertainty against the government’s effort to rein in public spending. The 10-year bond yield rose to 4.925%, while the gap between French and German borrowing costs reached its highest level since Oct. 5, according to LSEG data cited by Yahoo Finance.
French calls partial curfews as riots hit businesses
French Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu has called for local curfews after weekend riots and looting, giving regional mayors more power to impose restrictions. The move follows reports that more than 2,000 businesses were directly affected. In Coulaines, the mayor has already barred minors from being outside after 23:00 local time.
Cornwall Holiday-Let Tax Refunds Put £10m Council Support at Risk
Cornwall Council says tax refunds linked to holiday-let status have cost it about £10m so far this financial year and could affect support for low-income households. Councillors and campaigners want the law changed, while industry representatives say qualifying rentals are legitimate businesses that support local tourism and jobs.
French Police Lost Control as Riots Overwhelmed Cities
France’s interior minister acknowledged that police lost control in several cities after weekend protests exceeded intelligence estimates. Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu called for local, partial curfews where needed, while President Emmanuel Macron ordered a review of security planning and intelligence failures. Authorities reported looting, arrests and injuries among security forces.
France Protests Push Bond Yields Higher as Budget Pressure Grows
French bonds and stocks fell after violent protests over the weekend, raising concern among investors as the government prepares a budget to rein in its deficit. The yield on France’s 10-year debt rose to 4.849%, widening the gap with German borrowing costs. The government is also weighing pension and departmental spending cuts, while political pressure threatens to complicate those plans.
Companies Exploiting Welfare System in UK Housing Scheme
A BBC Panorama investigation found that some private providers receive housing benefits for supported accommodation while residents say they were left without promised care. Birmingham accounted for £410m in payments for the system in the last financial year, and the investigation also identified claims involving people who did not live in the properties.
Macron slams unbridled riots as France faces new clashes
French President Emmanuel Macron condemned violence during cost-of-living protests as clashes and looting continued in Paris. Nearly 2,400 people were arrested on Saturday, and almost 1,000 police and gendarmes were injured, France’s interior ministry said. Macron said authorities could ban some rallies and promised support for affected businesses, while political figures sharply disputed the causes and handling of the unrest.
France struggles contain fallout after protests turn violent
France is assessing damage after protests over classroom and hospital conditions and living costs drew more than half a million people on Saturday and descended into clashes, looting and fires. Interior Minister Laurent Nunez said more than 2,000 people were arrested nationwide. Political leaders traded blame as authorities faced calls to protect public order and repair damaged buildings.
BBC reports protests France: Fires and clashes shown
A report by BBC Paris correspondent James Waterhouse described protests across France as mostly peaceful while showing footage of fires, clashes with police and looted businesses. A separate Fox News report cited more than 600 injured police officers and nearly 2,000 arrests between Saturday and Sunday. The source also reported that a historic town hall in Limoges was largely lost after a fire.
EU steel tariffs threaten Ukraine exports, Metinvest chief says
Metinvest chief executive Yuriy Ryzhenkov is urging the European Union to exempt Ukrainian steel from import restrictions, saying the measures aimed at curbing cheap imports also hit a country whose mills face Russian bombardment. Ukraine’s steel industry estimates exports to the EU could fall by about 50–60%. The EU says a country-specific quota still guarantees Ukrainian exports, though at a lower level than in past years.
Europe Protests Spread From France to Five Other Countries This Week
Protests over living costs, education, housing and workplace safety have spread across France, Albania, Italy, Portugal, Spain and Greece, Newsweek reported. In France, demonstrations that began over school conditions widened into broader economic unrest. French Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez said at least 550,000 people took to the streets on Saturday, while 1,800 people were arrested and more than 500 police officers and firefighters were injured.
France’s riots death throes test Macron’s grip on power
Rioting damaged shops and public spaces in Paris, Marseille, Lyon and Limoges, while two people died during the unrest, according to the source report. President Emmanuel Macron said public gatherings could be banned if needed and promised consequences for looters. The report describes the violence as a blow to his remaining domestic political capital, with repair costs running into the hundreds of millions.
Anger shame Macron denounces France protest violence
French President Emmanuel Macron vowed action after riots and looting in France, saying those responsible would “pay for their crimes”. The Interior Ministry reported nearly 2,400 arrests on Saturday and about 1,000 police and gendarmes injured. Macron also promised a crisis unit to provide urgent aid, as political figures blamed the government and criticised its response.
Meloni Backs Police After Milan Cost-of-Living Protest Clashes
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni condemned violence during protests over the cost of living and voiced support for law enforcement. Clashes in Milan included looted stores and smashed windows, while police used water cannons to disperse the crowd. The Associated Press, citing LaPresse, reported that 50 demonstrators were detained and at least two officers were hurt.
Photos show aftermath riots as France counts damage
France surveyed widespread destruction after protests over living costs and school conditions turned violent in several cities. Police reported 1,800 arrests nationwide, while the BBC cited about 1,800 and described damage to shops, cars and public buildings. In Limoges, fire badly damaged the historic town hall; Paris residents and shopkeepers began clearing debris from streets and storefronts.
French Police Arrest 1,800 as Cost-of-Living Protests Turn Violent
French police arrested 1,800 people over the weekend as cost-of-living protests were marked by looting, fires and clashes. The Retail and Trade Federation said around 1,500 businesses were damaged, with losses estimated in the hundreds of millions of euros. President Emmanuel Macron was expected to address the nation after meeting key ministers, while investigations into the violence continued.
Meloni Condemns Violence as Cost-of-Living Protests Turn Violent in Italy
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni condemned violence during cost-of-living protests and voiced support for police after clashes in several cities. In Milan, at least four officers and 20 demonstrators were injured, while about 50 young people were arrested, according to reports cited by DW. The unrest came amid anger over high prices, stagnant real wages and a shortage of affordable housing.