France protests: Fires rage near Eiffel Tower as student protests escalate; 400 schools closed

France is facing a major wave of student unrest, with around 400 high schools closed or suspending classes as protests spread across the country. What began with demands for more teachers, smaller classes and better school facilities has escalated in several cities, with fires, vandalism and clashes with police. Authorities say 24 schools have been burned or ransacked, while thousands of people have been arrested since the protests began. The unrest has also brought dramatic scenes in Paris, including fires near the Eiffel Tower, as the government faces pressure to address students’ education concerns while containing the violence.