French PM tries to defuse anger over schools, fuel and agriculture in sweeping speech

PARIS — French Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu tried to put out several fires at once Wednesday, pledging to address protesting high school students' concerns while also announcing the release of strategic fuel reserves to lower prices. "The anger among young people didn't come out of nowhere," Lecornu said as he addressed the nation. The center-right prime minister said his government’s first policy responses to protesters’ concerns — including run-down schools, a shortage of substitute teachers, and a desire for more manageable schedules — would come later this month. The government will consider submissions on a public platform set up Tuesday to allow students to voice their grievances.