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Young people join protest in France against pension reforms

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Young people are taking to the streets in France as Macron pushes ahead with raising nation’s retirement age

Huge crowds have gathered in France in recent weeks to protest a controversial rise in the country’s pension age by two years to 64.

Some of the marches have turned violent.

While the reform is most relevant to those approaching retirement, many young people are also taking to the streets.

But why might that be?

The French youth have joined the protests in growing numbers since the government bypassed parliament to push the plans through.

Every night for the past few weeks, 18-year-old Charles Chauliac has been making his voice heard. Not just for his parents, but for himself.

“I am against this reform simply because I have two parents who are killing themselves at work and damaging their health and I don’t want to see them die at work. My father, he works every day, he gets up to get on the tarmac at Charles de Gaulle airport at 5 a.m. to load the planes. I find it difficult to imagine myself at 64 getting up at 3 a.m.”

Chauliac is part of groups started by university students to organize unauthorized demonstrations, which are usually carried out in the evenings.

While a few protesters have been seen torching bins and throwing rocks at police, Chauliac insists he hasn’t.

Opinion polls show a wide majority of voters are opposed to the pension bill.

They are further angered by Macron’s leadership style and the government’s decision to skip the parliamentary vote.

“For young people like me, we grew up with the hope of being able to influence our society. And when we see that decisions are made without consulting the people who make up this society, that takes away the possibility of being able to change things.”

Many students, like Chauliac, have been joining private groups on social media which help students mobilize for spontaneous protests.

He says they help prevent the groups being noticed by police.

But does Chauliac worry about the repercussions, should the demonstrations get out of hand?

“I wonder about that, because I know what can happen to us too, we see the images and we see what happens to fellow protesters, but that wouldn’t prevent me from demonstrating, because I’m so outraged that it surpasses potentially endangering myself.”

Macron recently said he would press ahead with the reforms.

Unions have called for regional action, and the continuation of nationwide strikes and protests.

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World

Understanding the “very serious threat of military aggression” from dictatorships

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The U.S. National Security Strategy has outlined the risks of autocratic states

 
U.S. President Joe Biden has not minced his words since he took office.

The U.S. National Security Strategy has outlined the risks autocratic states pose to Washington.

From Russia staging a full-scale invasion of Ukraine, to China’s Xi Jinping winning an historic third term as leader, autocratic states are able to make quick decisions.

But Washington has sought to change that narrative by holding regional dialogues with Pacific Island nations, and African leaders.

The U.S. is also increasing its security and defence in the wake of this perceived threat.

Meanwhile, Russian President Vladimir Putin has criticised aim at the U.S. and its NATO allies for escalating tensions when it comes to the war in Ukraine.

It’s become a proxy war between two great superpowers.

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World

Why are Hollywood writers walking off the job?

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Writers in Hollywood and New York are on strike

Thousands of film and television writers are making their voices heard and pounding the pavement over a labor dispute.

The writers are on strike demanding better working conditions like pay increases in pay and residuals so they can stay in this industry.

Writers in Hollywood and New York are marching in picket lines looking to flex their muscles in an attempt to send a message to producers that they are not happy with what’s being offered.

The Writer’s Guild strike marks their first in 15-years and has sent Hollywood into turmoil, disrupting production.

The walkout comes as traditional TV audiences continue to shrink and the industry grapples with how to transition to the ever-growing popularity of streaming.

After failing to reach an agreement with studios like Netflix and Disney—the Writer’s Guild of America said its leadership unanimously supported a strike.

Seth Schachner from StratAmericas joins us to discuss. #stirke #hollywoodstrike #writers #tv #streaming

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Business

Debt limit dispute: Will America default?

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Can U.S. lawmakers agree on the debt limit before the fast approaching deadline to avoid default?

 
The executive branch and Congress are trying to strike a deal about the debt limit as the country marches closer to defaulting.

But can President Joe Biden and Republicans come to an agreement on fiscal policy in time?

The federal government could run out of money as early as June 1. Without borrowing more there is a risk that the United States will begin defaulting on its financial obligations.

Negotiations between Speaker Kevin McCarthy and President Joe Biden at the White House continue as lawmakers are staring down a swiftly approaching deadline.

The Treasury has been warning that the government would likely default on some bills in June if Congress does not raise the debt ceiling.

Democrats have insisted on raising the debt limit without preconditions. But Republicans say President Biden and the Democrats are playing Russian roulette with America’s economy after a two-year spending binge that brought 40-year high inflation and pushed the nation’s debt to over $31-trillion.

While both sides have agreed that action is needed to reduce the deficit—each have extremely different ideas about how to do it.

Republicans are looking to cut spending levels, while Democrats have called to increase tax revenue from the ultra-wealthy and large corporations.

So, can Washington D.C. politicians broker a deal and prevent the American economy from falling off a cliff?

Mitch Roschelle, Managing Director at Madison Ventures and a Visiting Research Fellow at the University of San Diego School of Business joined us to discuss. #U.S. Politics #Mitch Roschelle #debt ceiling #Capitol Hill #Washington D.C.

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