Another Toll of the Violent Unrest in France: The Political Center

30 October 2026 at 17:00

Support for Édouard Philippe, the leading candidate from the centrist bloc, has eroded, while his far-right and far-left rivals benefit.

Édouard Philippe, the leading centrist candidate in France’s presidential race, has struggled in the polls since widespread protests broke out across the country last month.

The Result of Dissatisfaction Is Endless Political Deadlock

NYT > Top Stories

By: David Wallace-Wells

30 October 2026 at 16:17

From France to Brazil, voters are railing against the status quo, even as the politics of disenchantment make lasting change nearly impossible.

Cost of living protests to spread to Germany and reignite in France on Halloween

World news | The Guardian

By: Deborah Cole in Berlin and Jon Henley in Paris

31 October 2026 at 12:13

Activists call for people to make their anger known over poor public services including education and housing

Street protests sweeping Europe are expected to spread to Germany and reignite in France on Saturday, with police mobilised to stop potential looting and rioting on the fringes of what organisers hope will be peaceful rallies.

Weeks of, at times violent, student demonstrations have rocked Italy, Spain, Portugal, Albania and France, where activists on Halloween have again called for people to make their anger over the cost of living and deficient public services felt across the country.

Cost of living protests to spread to Germany and reignite in France on Halloween

The Guardian

By: Deborah Cole in Berlin and Jon Henley in Paris

31 October 2026 at 12:13

Activists call for people to make their anger known over poor public services including education and housing

Street protests sweeping Europe are expected to spread to Germany and reignite in France on Saturday, with police mobilised to stop potential looting and rioting on the fringes of what organisers hope will be peaceful rallies.

Weeks of, at times violent, student demonstrations have rocked Italy, Spain, Portugal, Albania and France, where activists on Halloween have again called for people to make their anger over the cost of living and deficient public services felt across the country.

People of 27 nationalities may be among those killed or injured in Spain train crash, Sánchez says – Europe live

The Guardian

By: Martin Belam (now) and Jakub Krupa (earlier)

30 October 2026 at 16:48

Some 69 people have been confirmed dead but the toll may rise further, with at least 70 people reported missing

Peunte begins by paying tribute to all affected by the incident.

He says that “at present, evidence points to a failure within Adif’s command and control centre,” but adds that investigators are still looking “to clarify what exactly happened.” He says he still has confidence in the system.

People of 27 nationalities may be among those killed or injured in Spain train crash, Sánchez says – as it happened

World news | The Guardian

By: Jakub Krupa (now and earlier) and Martin Belam (earlier)

30 October 2026 at 18:48

This blog is now closed, you can read more on this story here

Peunte begins by paying tribute to all affected by the incident.

He says that “at present, evidence points to a failure within Adif’s command and control centre,” but adds that investigators are still looking “to clarify what exactly happened.” He says he still has confidence in the system.

Rare love letters to French aristocrat shed light on Louis XVI maritime mystery

World news | The Guardian

By: Kim Willsher in Paris

29 October 2026 at 14:00

‘Miracle’ cache of letters written by French scientist who died in ill-fated La Pérouse mission give personal account of 1785 voyage

As he prepared to climb the scaffolding to be publicly executed by guillotine on 21 January 1793, Louis XVI is reported to have asked: “Is there news of Monsieur de la Pérouse?”

He was referring to Jean-François de Galaup, the count of Pérouse, a naval officer and navigator whom the French king had dispatched in 1785 on a round-the-world scientific mission to rival discoveries made by the English explorer Captain James Cook.

Europe’s central bank chief, Christine Lagarde, steps down for ‘freedom of speech’

World news | The Guardian

By: Phillip Inman and Graeme Wearden

29 October 2026 at 19:05

Possible candidate to run World Economic Forum departs ECB nine months early, saying she wants to speak her mind about world affairs

Christine Lagarde, the eurozone’s top central banker, has said she is stepping down nine months early to speak her mind about world affairs and confront the “misrepresentation of the truth”.

Ending months of speculation about her future at the European Central Bank, Lagarde said she would quit her role as president in March rather than October next year because the rules of neutrality that governed her job prevented her from influencing debate about financial and economics affairs.

Europe Is Aflame, and It’s Not Going to Stop

NYT > Top Stories

By: Anton Jäger

29 October 2026 at 09:42

The protests roiling the continent express feelings of generational futility.

France pledges new university admissions to quell student anger. But only after Macron leaves office

PBS News Hour - The Latest

By: Thomas Adamson, Associated Press · Sylvie Corbet, Associated Press

26 October 2026 at 23:32

The move announced on Monday seeks to quell student anger after weeks of mass protests over education and living costs.

More than 400,000 protest across France, challenging Macron as Paris clashes erupt

PBS News Hour - The Latest

By: Thomas Adamson, Associated Press · John Leicester, Associated Press · Tom Nouvian, Associated Press

24 October 2026 at 19:51

Clashes erupted in Paris as a mass march drew to a close Saturday, with more than 400,000 people rallying across France over school funding and soaring living costs in a fresh challenge to President Emmanuel Macron. Police made nearly 1,000 arrests, the government said.