French President Emmanuel Macron’s government has survived two votes of no confidence after he used a special constitutional power to force a bill through parliament to raise the retirement age from 62 to 64. The bill must still be reviewed by France’s Constitutional Council before becoming law. Over 200 people were arrested in Paris as protests against the measure continue. Workers are continuing to strike, most notably garbage collectors who have refused to collect garbage for over two weeks. Some refinery workers have been striking causing disruptions in oil shipments. AP reports some garbage is being collected in Paris, but an estimated 9,600 tons of trash remains, causing health issues and driving away residents and tourists alike from sidewalk cafes. Small groups have taken to the streets setting fire to the piles of trash.
