France's PM offers diesel relief and a reform plan as school-protest arrests pass 6,500

Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu told the nation in a televised address that the state is listening to secondary school students angry over teacher shortages, crumbling buildings and the Parcoursup university admissions system. More than 6,500 people, mostly minors, have been arrested since the protests began, and allegations of police violence have grown after a 15-year-old was badly hurt by a stun grenade in Lens, prompting the interior minister to halt their use against the students. Lecornu promised a government response plan by the end of October and said diesel stocks would be released to bring fuel prices back down from above 2.36 euros a litre.

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