Protesters opposing President Emmanuel Macron’s plan to raise the retirement age to 64 marched in cities and towns around France on Thursday.
It was the 12th consecutive day of protests against the pensions plan, and there have been rallies, sometimes violent, and strikes since January when the issue was raised by Mr Macron.
A decision by the Constitutional Council is expected on Friday into whether the pensions measure meets constitutional standards.
Marchers in Paris rallied near the Council at the Palais Royal gardens near the Louvre museum and briefly stormed the headquarters of luxury company LVMH.
Fabien Villedieu of the Sud-Rail Union said LVMH “could reduce all the holes” in France's social security system.
“One of the solutions to finance the pension system is a better redistribution of wealth, and the best way to do that is to tax the billionaires,” said Mr Villedieu, referring to Bernard Arnault, head of LVMH and one of the country’s richest people.
Piles of rubbish in the streets also signalled the start of a new strike by refuse collectors, timed to begin with the protest marches.
A previous strike last month left the streets of the French capital filled for days with mounds of reeking refuse.
Thousands also marched in Toulouse, Marseille and elsewhere. Tensions mounted at protests in Brittany, notably in Nantes and Rennes where a car was burnt.
“The mobilisation is far from over,” said CGT union leader Sophie Binet at a rubbish incineration site south of Paris.
“As long as this reform isn’t withdrawn, the mobilisation will continue in one form or another.”
CGT has been a backbone of the protest and strike movement challenging Mr Macron's plan to increase France's retirement age from 62 to 64. Eight unions have organised protests and student unions have joined in.
Mr Macron initially refused a demand to meet unions, but during a state visit on Wednesday to the Netherlands he proposed “an exchange” to discuss the follow-up to the Constitutional Council decision. There was no formal response to his offer.
The nine member constitutional court is made up of former politicians and senior civil servants.
It will rule on the law and an opposition-backed request to put the reform to a referendum.
Opinions polls have consistently shown a majority of French people are opposed to the pension reform.
Pakistan T20 series squad
Sarfraz Ahmed (captain), Fakhar Zaman, Ahmed Shahzad, Babar Azam, Shoaib Malik, Mohammed Hafeez, Imad Wasim, Shadab Khan, Mohammed Nawaz, Faheem Ashraf, Hasan Ali, Amir Yamin, Mohammed Amir (subject to fitness clearance), Rumman Raees, Usman Shinwari, Umar Amin
Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
Living in...
This article is part of a guide on where to live in the UAE. Our reporters will profile some of the country’s most desirable districts, provide an estimate of rental prices and introduce you to some of the residents who call each area home.
F1 The Movie
Starring: Brad Pitt, Damson Idris, Kerry Condon, Javier Bardem
Director: Joseph Kosinski
Rating: 4/5
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The specs
Engine: Four electric motors, one at each wheel
Power: 579hp
Torque: 859Nm
Transmission: Single-speed automatic
Price: From Dh825,900
On sale: Now
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What can victims do?
Always use only regulated platforms
Stop all transactions and communication on suspicion
Save all evidence (screenshots, chat logs, transaction IDs)
Report to local authorities
Warn others to prevent further harm
Courtesy: Crystal Intelligence
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More from Rashmee Roshan Lall
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Skewed figures
In the village of Mevagissey in southwest England the housing stock has doubled in the last century while the number of residents is half the historic high. The village's Neighbourhood Development Plan states that 26% of homes are holiday retreats. Prices are high, averaging around £300,000, £50,000 more than the Cornish average of £250,000. The local average wage is £15,458.
if you go
The flights
Etihad and Emirates fly direct to Kolkata from Dh1,504 and Dh1,450 return including taxes, respectively. The flight takes four hours 30 minutes outbound and 5 hours 30 minute returning.
The trains
Numerous trains link Kolkata and Murshidabad but the daily early morning Hazarduari Express (3’ 52”) is the fastest and most convenient; this service also stops in Plassey. The return train departs Murshidabad late afternoon. Though just about feasible as a day trip, staying overnight is recommended.
The hotels
Mursidabad’s hotels are less than modest but Berhampore, 11km south, offers more accommodation and facilities (and the Hazarduari Express also pauses here). Try Hotel The Fame, with an array of rooms from doubles at Rs1,596/Dh90 to a ‘grand presidential suite’ at Rs7,854/Dh443.
Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme
- Priority access to new homes from participating developers
- Discounts on sales price of off-plan units
- Flexible payment plans from developers
- Mortgages with better interest rates, faster approval times and reduced fees
- DLD registration fee can be paid through banks or credit cards at zero interest rates
Volvo ES90 Specs
Engine: Electric single motor (96kW), twin motor (106kW) and twin motor performance (106kW)
Power: 333hp, 449hp, 680hp
Torque: 480Nm, 670Nm, 870Nm
On sale: Later in 2025 or early 2026, depending on region
Price: Exact regional pricing TBA
The specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4-cylturbo
Transmission: seven-speed DSG automatic
Power: 242bhp
Torque: 370Nm
Price: Dh136,814
