Riot police clashed with protesters on Friday evening in Paris as a new demonstration took place against the government's plans to raise the French state pension age.
Protesters were on the streets for most of Friday as President Emmanuel Macron was warned he was “playing with fire” by forcing through his pension reform without a vote.
Mr Macron's government is bracing for a no-confidence motion after using special powers to pass the bill without support from MPs.
As furious opponents accused Mr Macron of a “denial of democracy”, trade unions vowed to continue their struggle against the change to the retirement age.
Protesters lit flares on a Paris ring road early on Friday after cars and bicycles were burnt and effigies of Mr Macron set alight in a wave of unrest.
About 300 people were arrested in the latest skirmishes.
Unrest has grown since the start of the year, with a series of strikes hitting the country, including one by bin collectors, with rubbish piling up on the streets of Paris.
Unions called for new protests at the weekend and another day of mass strikes and mobilisation next Thursday.
Senator Esther Benbassa said the streets had “taken the floor” after a National Assembly vote was cancelled.
“When you trample on parliament, ignore a massive and peaceful mobilisation, scorn a united front from unions and violate democratic principles, what do you get?” she said.
“By playing with fire like this, you risk a blaze.”
Mr Macron's supporters said the government had acted responsibly and that MPs would have the final say in a confidence vote.
Although the French Senate backed the pension bill by 193 votes to 114, a division in the National Assembly was cancelled, with Mr Macron's camp unable to secure a majority.
Left-wing MPs heckled and sang the national anthem after Prime Minister Elisabeth Borne announced she was invoking Article 49.3 of the constitution to force the bill through.
The bill raises the retirement age from 62 to 64, a move intended to cut the costs of the welfare state, but is bitterly opposed on the left and parts of the right.
France's biggest unions said in a joint statement that the government was responsible for the “social and political crisis” resulting from the bill.
“The unions continue to demand the withdrawal of this reform,” they said.
Thursday's move was an acknowledgement that centre-right Republican MPs had failed to back Mr Macron's party in sufficient numbers despite their leader, Eric Ciotti, supporting the bill.
“We wanted to vote for the compromise text agreed between MPs and senators, notably including the Republicans. Unfortunately, too many Republican MPs preferred to play their own cards,” said pro-Macron Senator Charles Rodwell.
The Article 49.3 gambit means the bill becomes law unless MPs swiftly pass a no-confidence motion.
Left-wing leader Jean-Luc Melenchon and far-right presidential hopeful Marine Le Pen both said they would support such a vote.
Mr Macron's government may survive with centre-right backing after Mr Ciotti said he would oppose the no-confidence motion, but all eyes will be on rebels in the Republican ranks.
Defeat for Mr Macron would force him to appoint a new government or call new elections.
Election pledges on migration
CDU: "Now is the time to control the German borders and enforce strict border rejections"
SPD: "Border closures and blanket rejections at internal borders contradict the spirit of a common area of freedom"
TEACHERS' PAY - WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
Pay varies significantly depending on the school, its rating and the curriculum. Here's a rough guide as of January 2021:
- top end schools tend to pay Dh16,000-17,000 a month - plus a monthly housing allowance of up to Dh6,000. These tend to be British curriculum schools rated 'outstanding' or 'very good', followed by American schools
- average salary across curriculums and skill levels is about Dh10,000, recruiters say
- it is becoming more common for schools to provide accommodation, sometimes in an apartment block with other teachers, rather than hand teachers a cash housing allowance
- some strong performing schools have cut back on salaries since the pandemic began, sometimes offering Dh16,000 including the housing allowance, which reflects the slump in rental costs, and sheer demand for jobs
- maths and science teachers are most in demand and some schools will pay up to Dh3,000 more than other teachers in recognition of their technical skills
- at the other end of the market, teachers in some Indian schools, where fees are lower and competition among applicants is intense, can be paid as low as Dh3,000 per month
- in Indian schools, it has also become common for teachers to share residential accommodation, living in a block with colleagues
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Torque: 275Nm from 2,000-4,000rpm
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The President's Cake
Director: Hasan Hadi
Starring: Baneen Ahmad Nayyef, Waheed Thabet Khreibat, Sajad Mohamad Qasem
Rating: 4/5
Muslim Council of Elders condemns terrorism on religious sites
The Muslim Council of Elders has strongly condemned the criminal attacks on religious sites in Britain.
It firmly rejected “acts of terrorism, which constitute a flagrant violation of the sanctity of houses of worship”.
“Attacking places of worship is a form of terrorism and extremism that threatens peace and stability within societies,” it said.
The council also warned against the rise of hate speech, racism, extremism and Islamophobia. It urged the international community to join efforts to promote tolerance and peaceful coexistence.
Pupils in Abu Dhabi are learning the importance of being active, eating well and leading a healthy lifestyle now and throughout adulthood, thanks to a newly launched programme 'Healthy Lifestyle'.
As part of the Healthy Lifestyle programme, specially trained coaches from City Football Schools, along with Healthpoint physicians have visited schools throughout Abu Dhabi to give fun and interactive lessons on working out regularly, making the right food choices, getting enough sleep and staying hydrated, just like their favourite footballers.
Organised by Manchester City FC and Healthpoint, Manchester City FC’s regional healthcare partner and part of Mubadala’s healthcare network, the ‘Healthy Lifestyle’ programme will visit 15 schools, meeting around 1,000 youngsters over the next five months.
Designed to give pupils all the information they need to improve their diet and fitness habits at home, at school and as they grow up, coaches from City Football Schools will work alongside teachers to lead the youngsters through a series of fun, creative and educational classes as well as activities, including playing football and other games.
Dr Mai Ahmed Al Jaber, head of public health at Healthpoint, said: “The programme has different aspects - diet, exercise, sleep and mental well-being. By having a focus on each of those and delivering information in a way that children can absorb easily it can help to address childhood obesity."
How to protect yourself when air quality drops
Install an air filter in your home.
Close your windows and turn on the AC.
Shower or bath after being outside.
Wear a face mask.
Stay indoors when conditions are particularly poor.
If driving, turn your engine off when stationary.
Vaccine Progress in the Middle East
