Macron pension reform: France paralyzed by biggest national strike in years
A nationwide strike has severely disrupted schools and public transport across France.
Workers are angry at being forced to retire later or face reduced pensions. School and transport workers have been joined by police, lawyers, and hospital and airport staff for a general walkout that could include millions of people.
France's largest nationwide strike in years was agreed by unions unhappy with President Emmanuel Macron's plans for a universal points-based pension system. "What we've got to do is shut the economy down," said union official Christian Grolier of the Force Ouvrière (Workers' Force). "People are spoiling for a fight."
Interior Minister Christophe Castaner said on the eve of the strike he expected almost 250 demonstrations nationwide, some of which he said could turn violent. "We know there will be lots of people in these protests and we know the risks. I have requested that systematically when there is rioting or violence we make arrests immediately," he said.
On Paris's famous Champs-Élysées boulevard, riot police began searching pedestrians' bags before dawn, and shops on a planned protest route have been ordered to close.
How bad is the transport chaos?
Transport networks ground to a near-halt in some areas on Thursday morning. Some 90% of high-speed TGV and intercity trains have been cancelled, with buses also affected. In Paris, just five of the city's 16 metro lines are running. The early rush hour saw deserted stations as commuters shared car rides, took to their bikes or worked from home. Low-cost carrier EasyJet has cancelled 223 domestic and short-haul international flights, and warned passengers to expect delays.
Who else is walking out?
Nurses and hospital staff, lawyers and police officers, refuse collectors, energy staff and postal workers are among others participating in industrial action.
France's health minister said it was not yet clear how badly hospitals would be affected, but preparations had been made to deal with the strike. Parents with children of primary school age will also be affected. "Public transport will be very difficult today, as it will tomorrow and probably this weekend too," junior transport minister Jean-Baptiste Djebbari told French station RTL radio.
Train operators Eurostar and Thalys, which run international services, have cancelled at least half their services linking Paris with London and Brussels. Eurostar will operate a reduced timetable until 10 December. Air travel has been badly affected, with hundreds of flights cancelled. Air France said it would cancel 30% of internal flights and 30% of short-haul international flights, amid walk-outs by air traffic controllers.
How long will the disruption last?
The industrial action is expected to last beyond Thursday and some trade union leaders have warned they will keep it up until Mr Macron abandons his campaign promise to overhaul the retirement system. One opinion poll put public support for the strikes at 69%, with backing strongest among 18-34 year-olds. The Macron administration will hope to avoid a repeat of the country's general strike over pension reforms in 1995, which crippled the transport system for three weeks and drew massive popular support, forcing a government reversal.
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-50643323
the ginga mound broke it
only do it when necessary. really makes no diff but I get it while you are baking, same here as you are just waiting for the inevitable 'server taking too long' or a system clean needed. It's nervous.
got your back at night with buns, re-posts or retrieval. just hollah
filters are for the weak..plus you miss some incredibly funny shit too.
US Trade Deficit Shrinks To Smallest In 16 Months
The US trade deficit shrank to its smallest since June 2018 in October, as trade with China extended its slide with goods imports from the nation dropping to a fresh three-year low. The overall U.S. deficit in goods and services trade narrowed to $47.2 billion in October (less then the $48.5bn expected).
Merchandise imports from China declined 4.8% from the prior month to $35.3 billion while exports tumbled 17% to $7.49 billion, the least in almost a year.
Perhaps most notably: U.S. OCT. SOYBEAN EXPORTS FALL 42% M/M TO $1.11 BLN. Finally, as Bloomberg notes, the report showed exports and imports both dropped and gave a hint of the impact of trade on fourth-quarter gross domestic product.
https://www.zerohedge.com/economics/us-trade-deficit-shrinks-smallest-16-months
don't post the kid. that is heavily frowned on
>This seems like a tacit declaration that (((they))) put all their eggs in the Federal Reserve Basket
yes.
They already have a "new" building for the central bank home in china.