France strikes: One million protest against Macron's rise in retirement age- By Hugh Schofield- BBC News, ParisMore than a million people have joined a day of protests and strikes, according to France's interior ministry, against plans to push back the age of retirement from 62 to 64.Hailed by the government as a vital measure to safeguard France's share-out pension system, the reform is proving deeply unpopular among the public, with 68% saying they are opposed, according to an IFOP poll this week.The worst outcome for the government would be rolling strikes in transport, hospitals and fuel depots - effectively bringing the country to a standstill.However, the government says the system is heading for disaster because the ratio between those working and those in retirement is diminishing rapidly.This second plan was part of his re-election manifesto last year - a key argument deployed by the government in the battle for public opinion."