Tens of thousands protest across Portugal over soaring housing costs

Tens of thousands of people took to the streets across more than 30 cities and towns in Portugal on Saturday in the largest demonstration yet against rising housing costs, with protesters demanding more affordable homes, limits on rent increases and stronger protection for tenants.The protests, which drew participants ranging from teenagers to retirees, reflected growing anger over housing prices that have risen much faster than incomes over the past decade.Demonstrators marched under the slogan “We won’t let them steal our right to housing”, while protesters in Lisbon chanted: “Lower rents, higher salaries”, according to news agency AFP.The demonstrations followed weeks of protests over the housing crisis, including tent camps set up in central squares in Lisbon and Porto, the country's two largest cities.Police have forcibly cleared some of these camps, with riot police and dogs deployed during certain demonstrations, drawing accusations of heavy-handed tactics.The protest movement gained momentum after parliament adopted a bill aimed at speeding up procedures for property owners…