Macron defies protests to raise French retirement age.

French President Emmanuel Macron has used special constitutional powers to push through his plan to raise the retirement age from 62 to 64, despite widespread protests and strikes across France. The pensions overhaul has been met with opposition, with opinion polls suggesting a majority of the public supported industrial action to oppose the changes. The measure would now go to the constitutional court and most likely become law. Opposition politicians are now likely to request a vote of no confidence in the government, which they must do by 3 p.m. Friday.