The World Tonight - Tear gas fired but most pupil protests peaceful in France

Download Tear gas fired but most pupil protests peaceful in France

Hundreds of thousands of people have taken to the streets across France, as a wave of protests by high-school pupils spread to their parents, university students and unions. There was less violence than in previous days, though some protesters clashed with police, who responded with tear gas. We hear from Marseille and Paris and look behind the protests to the acute fiscal and political difficulties facing France.

Also on the programme: is Kemi Badenoch right to say she'll reduce inheritance tax? We debate the morality and efficacy of the tax.

In India, the youth-led Cockroach Movement is back on the streets protesting against changes to voting lists.

And, a week after it emerged that the Victorian novel Jane Eyre has been added to school curricula in China, the book has been banned in some schools in Texas. We hear why.

Published on Tuesday, 6th October 2026.

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