Page 8 - ARUBA TODAY

A8 WORLD NEWS
Friday 6 december 2019
Paris police arrest scores amid strike over pension reform

By THOMAS ADAMSON port for the striking workers.
CLAIRE PARKER Others complained about
Associated Press being embroiled in some-
PARIS (AP) — Paris police one else’s fight.
fired tear gas at demonstra- “I had no idea about the
tors Thursday as the Eiffel strike happening, and I was
Tower shut down, France’s waiting for two hours in the
high-speed trains came to airport for the train to ar-
a standstill and hundreds rive, and it didn’t arrive,”
of thousands marched na- said vacationer Ian Cros-
tionwide in a strike over the sen, from New York. “I feel
government’s plan to over- a little bit frustrated. And
haul the retirement system. I’ve spent a lot of money.
At least 90 people were I’ve spent money I didn’t
arrested in Paris by eve- need to, apparently.”
ning as the protests wound Beneath the Eiffel Tower,
down. tourists from Thailand, Can-
Police said 65,000 people ada and Spain echoed
took to the streets of the those sentiments.
French capital, and over Paris authorities barricaded
800,000 nationwide in of- the presidential palace
ten-tense demonstrations and deployed 6,000 po-
aimed at forcing President lice officers. Police ordered
Emmanuel Macron to A man stands on a traffic light during a demonstration in Paris, Thursday, Dec. 5, 2019. all businesses, cafes and
abandon pension reform. Associated Press restaurants in the area to
The open-ended walkout close and detained 71
by the country’s unions himself remained “calm police in body armor. Some their runs, and nearly 20% of people before the demon-
represents the biggest and determined” to push journalists were mugged in flights at Paris’ Orly Airport stration even started.
challenge to Macron since it through, according to a the street. were reported grounded. Authorities banned pro-
the yellow vest movement top presidential official. The Louvre closed some of Many visitors, including the tests in the more sensitive
against economic inequal- In Paris, small groups of its galleries, and the Palace U.S. energy secretary, can- neighborhoods around
ity erupted a year ago. masked activists smashed of Versailles shut down. celed plans to travel to one the Champs-Elysees av-
Opponents fear the store windows, set fires and Subway stations across Par- of the world’s most popular enue, the presidential pal-
changes to how and when hurled flares on the sidelines is closed their gates, high- tourist destinations. ace, Parliament and Notre
workers can retire will of a march that was other- speed TGV trains canceled Some travelers showed sup- Dame Cathedral.q
threaten the hard-fought wise peaceful. Demonstra-
New Zealand leader discusses
French way of life. Macron tors also shot firecrackers at
abortion, marijuana, monarchy

By NICK PERRY available in New Zealand
Associated Press for decades, the proce-
WELLINGTON, New Zealand dure is still regulated un-
(AP) — During an interview der the Crimes Act, which
with The Associated Press, many say presents unnec-
New Zealand Prime Minister essary obstacles for wom-
Jacinda Ardern discussed en seeking abortions.
a range of social issues, Ardern said she thought
including three the nation the country was ready
will make decisions on next for the planned changes,
year: euthanasia, marijua- and lawmakers had shown
na use and abortion. But overwhelming support dur-
one thing she remained ing a preliminary vote.
quiet about was her mar- In this image made from ___
riage plans. video, New Zealand’s Prime WOMEN’S ISSUES: Ardern
___ Minister Jacinda Ardern is seen by many women
MARIJUANA: A second ref- speaks during an interview around the world as a role
erendum measure will de- in Wellington, New Zealand, model. She said women still
termine whether marijuana Thursday, Dec. 5, 2019. face many issues, depend-
will be legalized for recre- Associated Press ing on where they live.
ational use. The wording “One of the greatest chal-
hasn’t been finalized yet, discussion on what option lenges in some parts of the
but a draft would limit sales would best reduce harm. world is accessing basic
to those aged over 20, ban ___ maternal health or even
advertising and smoking in ABORTION: Lawmakers are basic education,” Ardern
public places. It would al- considering changes to said. “For other parts of the
low people to grow up to abortion laws that would world like ours, it will be is-
four marijuana plants at treat the procedure as a sues like being free from
home. Ardern declined to health issue rather than a violence, intimate partner
say how she’d vote, saying crime. violence, and the gender
her job was to facilitate a While abortions have been pay gap.”q