Major protests in France against proposal to raise retirement age from 62 to 64

Widespread protests broke out in France late this week, some of them turning violent, as unions and workers mobilized to protest the country's proposed pension reform that would raise the nation's retirement age by two years. 

Demonstrations in Paris brought parts of the city to a standstill as protesters at times clashed with police, throwing rocks and other projectiles as police moved through crowds making arrests. 

The unrest came amid French President Emmanuel Macron's move to raise the nation's retirement age from 62 to 64.

Government officials there have argued that France's lavishly funded and generous pension plan cannot sustain itself without raising the age at which workers are allowed to start claiming benefits.