x01 Archives

BRUTAL clashes erupted between cops and protesters in Spain just days after apocalyptic riots swept across France.

Twelve police officers and three protesters were injured after chaos broke out in A Coruña, a port city in Galicia, on Wednesday.

Around 100 people and several thousand demonstrators had gathered in María Pita Square to meet the leader of Spain’s right-wing Vox party.

But tensions boiled over by the end of Santiago Abascal’s speech with protesters launching eggs across the security cordon.

PARIS — French President Emmanuel Macron said Wednesday that foreign leaders — including those “on the other side of the Atlantic” — are trying to exploit France’s tense social climate for their own political agenda.

Protests over soaring living costs have led to widespread rioting and looting in France.

U.S. President Donald Trump has used the violence to rally his political supporters, making unsubstantiated claims that Muslim migrants are responsible for the unrest, and urging Macron to “close your borders and take control before it is too late!”

Macron responded by saying there “has been foreign manipulation of information in the aftermath” of the looting in Paris and other French cities last weekend.

“And that has led to comments that are as unacceptable as they are stupid, from many people, including foreign leaders,” he said.

Asked by a reporter if he was referring to Trump, Macron replied: “Among others.”

Students, teachers and public-sector workers marched through central Athens on Wednesday, demanding more funding for education, smaller classes, better facilities and affordable student housing.

Aerial footage showed crowds filling major streets as protesters made their way from the University of Athens towards the Greek Parliament. Some banners written in French reflected the Greek protesters’ solidarity with, and inspiration from, recent student demonstrations in France. Organisers presented the march as part of a broader European movement calling for better-funded education, affordable housing and relief from rising living costs.

Police officers, including riot police carrying shields, accompanied the march and blocked nearby roads. Some shops and cafés closed their shutters as a precaution.

The demonstration was part of a nationwide protest movement, with rallies also held in Thessaloniki, Patras, Larissa and Crete. Police estimated that around 10,000 people took part in Athens and its suburbs, although organisers claimed a higher turnout.