Your Friday Briefing: Macron pushes through pension bill

Also, Poland says it will give Ukraine warplanes and Japan extends a hand to South Korea.
Author Headshot

By Amelia Nierenberg

Writer, Briefings

Good morning. We’re covering France’s retirement fight and Poland’s pledge to send Ukraine warplanes. Also, the week in culture.

Protesters gathered in Paris yesterday.Pascal Rossignol/Reuters

Macron forces through retirement plan

President Emmanuel Macron pushed through contentious legislation to raise France’s retirement age — without a full vote in parliament. The decision inflamed tensions and set the stage for a no-confidence vote against his government.

The move, which allows the retirement age to be raised to 64 from 62, drew calls for more protests after two months of mass demonstrations and strikes. In parliament, opposition lawmakers sang the national anthem and banged on their desks. On the streets, protesters pledged to continue the fight.

Macron used a constitutional measure to enact the bill without putting it to a vote in the National Assembly, the lower and more powerful house of Parliament. The upper house, the Senate, approved the bill. Macron’s party and its allies hold only a slim majority in the National Assembly and did not have enough votes to pass the bill.

The decision to avoid a vote is legal — but will be regarded by Macron’s opponents as anti-democratic. A no-confidence vote in the National Assembly is expected in the coming days, most likely on Monday, but it’s unlikely to succeed. If it did pass, it would bring down his prime minister and the cabinet, and the bill would be rejected.

The confrontation over the past months has already revealed a weakened and more isolated president as he navigates his second and final term in office. It could define Macron’s legacy, especially if the right-wing politician Marine Le Pen succeeds him.

Macron’s stance: He says France’s pension system is in “an increasingly precarious state” because retirees are living longer and their numbers are growing faster than those of today’s workers, whose taxes finance the system.

Analysis: France’s attachment to retirement is complex, touching on its history, identity and pride in social and labor rights. The country reveres retirement and a generous balance between work and leisure. In polls, roughly two-thirds of people say they disapprove of the plan.

A Polish MIG.Adam Warzawa/EPA, via Shutterstock

Poland to send jets to Ukraine

President Andrzej Duda said that four of Poland’s MIG fighters will go to Ukraine “literally in the next few days.” It would be the first delivery of jets from a NATO country.

Duda said that the rapid delivery of the four MIGs would be followed “gradually” by more than a dozen others that Poland has in its stocks.

The delivery falls short of Ukraine’s requests for American-made F-16 fighter jets. A White House spokesman said that the U.S. still had no plans to send the warplanes, which are more advanced. “It’s not on the table right now,” he said.

In other updates: 

President Yoon Suk Yeol of South Korea, left, shakes hands with Prime Minister Fumio Kishida of Japan in Tokyo.Pool photo by Kiyoshi Ota

A South Korea-Japan thaw

Yoon Suk Yeol, South Korea’s president, met with Fumio Kishida, Japan’s prime minister, in Tokyo yesterday. It was the first such visit in 12 years and came amid rising threats from China and North Korea.

Japan’s prime minister said he wanted to open a “new chapter” in relations between the two countries. And Japan’s trade ministry said that it was moving to drop restrictions on technology exports to South Korea, which had been imposed since 2019. It gave no specific date, but the announcement itself showed that the two countries were increasingly willing to cooperate.

North Korea sent a message, too. Hours before the leaders met, the country launched an intercontinental ballistic missile for the second time in a month. South Korea said the missile, fired at a steep angle, fell into waters near Japan.

Kishida: At a joint news conference, he said that he wanted to resume “shuttle diplomacy,” with high-level leaders visiting each other’s countries regularly — and that Japan and South Korea would seek to renew trilateral meetings with China.

Yoon: Last week, South Korea announced that it would drop its demand that Japanese companies compensate Korean victims of forced labor during World War II.

Jutharat Pinyodoonyachet for The New York Times

Share a pandemic ‘silver lining’

The coronavirus pandemic has been a time of immense pain and loss. But it also made room for change. Families came back together. Toxic relationships ended. Jobs changed.

We’re asking readers about the unexpected positive changes that came out of this difficult period. If you’d like to share a story of a silver lining, you can fill out this form. We may use your response in an upcoming newsletter.

ADVERTISEMENT

Ad

THE LATEST NEWS

Asia Pacific
TikTok’s chief executive, Shou Zi Chew, is scheduled to testify before U.S. lawmakers next week. Ore Huiying for The New York Times
  • In a significant shift, the Biden administration demanded that the Chinese company behind TikTok sell the app — or face a possible ban.
  • Britain became the latest Western country to ban TikTok on government devices.
  • Criminal prosecutions connected to Indonesia’s soccer-stadium stampede, which killed 135 people, concluded with one 18-month sentence and two acquittals for police officers. 
The Global Economy
Around the World
President Isaac Herzog of Israel warned that the judicial issue could prompt a civil war.Maya Alleruzzo/Associated Press
  • The police and military in Peru used lethal force on antigovernment protesters, a Times investigation found.
  • Covid worsened the U.S. maternal health crisis. In 2021, the deaths of pregnant women soared by 40 percent, new government figures show. 
The Week in Culture
Shuko Nakamura in her Noh-inspired mask “Okina” (2022).Bon Duke
A Morning Read
Mark Felix/Agence France-Presse — Getty Images

Space fashion is getting an upgrade: NASA and Axiom Space unveiled a new spacesuit made specifically for the first manned trip to the moon in more than 50 years — scheduled for 2025.

“Astronauts are getting hip,” our fashion critic wrote.

Subscribe Today

We hope you’ve enjoyed this newsletter, which is made possible through subscriber support. Subscribe to The New York Times with this special offer.

ARTS AND IDEAS

South Korean scientists are racing to breed strains that can thrive in warmer waters.Chang W. Lee/The New York Times

The seaweed race

In the age of climate change, seaweed is suddenly a hot global commodity. Long treasured in Asian kitchens, and ignored pretty much everywhere else, the marine plant is beginning to boom as a greener alternative to different materials.

In South Korea, one of the most established seaweed-growing countries in the world, farmers are struggling to keep up with growing export demand. Globally, production has grown by nearly 75 percent in the past decade, and new farms have cropped up in Maine, the Faroe Islands, Australia and the North Sea. 

One London start-up is using it to make a plastic substitute, while in Australia and Hawaii, others are experimenting with seaweed that, when fed to livestock, can cut methane from cow burps.

But some worry that the zeal to farm on the ocean may have unknown ecological risks. And seaweed itself is feeling the impact from climate change: “The water is way too hot,” a third-generation Korean seaweed farmer said. 

PLAY, WATCH, EAT

What to Cook
Julia Gartland for The New York Times

Ramadan starts next week. These potato samosas are an excellent iftar option.

What to Read

In “The Lost Americans,” a New Yorker investigates her brother’s sudden death in Egypt.

What to Watch

Full River Red,” one of China’s highest-grossing films of all time, weaves slapstick fun into 12th-century political murder.

How to Grow

“No dig” gardening is not just possible — it’s easier.

Where to Go

Taipei, the Taiwanese capital, is experiencing a quiet renaissance even as regional tensions rise.

Now Time to Play

Play the Mini Crossword, and a clue: Pasta, bread, etc. (five letters).

Here are the Wordle and the Spelling Bee.

That’s it for today’s briefing. Have a lovely weekend! — Amelia

P.S. Hugh Jackman enjoyed no-yeast cinnamon rolls from Times Cooking.

The Daily” is on French protests over the retirement age.

I’m always available at briefing@nytimes.com. Thank you to everyone who has emailed!

ADVERTISEMENT

Ad

Need help? Review our newsletter help page or contact us for assistance.

You received this email because you signed up for Morning Briefing: Asia Pacific Edition from The New York Times.

To stop receiving Morning Briefing: Asia Pacific Edition, unsubscribe. To opt out of other promotional emails from The Times, manage your email preferences.

Subscribe to The Times

Connect with us on:

facebooktwitterinstagram

Change Your EmailPrivacy PolicyContact UsCalifornia Notices

LiveIntent LogoAdChoices Logo

The New York Times Company. 620 Eighth Avenue New York, NY 10018

Key phrases

Older messages

Your Thursday Briefing: Bank fears resurface

Thursday, March 16, 2023

Also, South Korea's leader visits Japan and Russia gears up for more cyberattacks. View in browser|nytimes.com Continue reading the main story Marquee Ad Morning Briefing, Asia Pacific Edition

Your Wednesday Briefing: A downed U.S. drone

Tuesday, March 14, 2023

Also, US markets seem to stabilize and Xi Jinping tightens his control over China's economy. View in browser|nytimes.com Continue reading the main story Marquee Ad Morning Briefing, Asia Pacific

Your Tuesday Briefing: A U.S. banking crisis

Monday, March 13, 2023

Also, Russia is set to face war crimes charges and China's new premier seeks to reassure investors. View in browser|nytimes.com Continue reading the main story Marquee Ad Morning Briefing, Asia

Your Monday Briefing: China’s Saudi-Iran deal

Sunday, March 12, 2023

Also, Xi Jinping loyalists stack China's leadership and Australia revives an Aboriginal alcohol ban. View in browser|nytimes.com Continue reading the main story Marquee Ad Morning Briefing, Asia

Your Friday Briefing: Australia’s U.S. nuclear submarine deal

Thursday, March 9, 2023

Also, Russia hits targets across Ukraine. View in browser|nytimes.com Continue reading the main story Marquee Ad Morning Briefing, Asia Pacific Edition March 10, 2023 Author Headshot By Amelia

You Might Also Like

Numlock News: March 28, 2024 • Orcas, Visas, Dragons

Thursday, March 28, 2024

By Walt Hickey Visas As part of the budget signed into law on Saturday, $50 million has been allocated to the State Department to cut down on the passport backlog and reduce the long wait times for

☕️ Not so rational actors

Thursday, March 28, 2024

Robinhood is playing the long game with its new credit card... March 28, 2024 View Online | Sign Up | Shop Morning Brew PRESENTED BY Aura Health Good morning. It's Opening Day for Major League

What A Day: The promised Lands

Thursday, March 28, 2024

Alabama's first election since the state's IVF fiasco yielded a Democratic blowout. Wednesday, March 27, 2024 BY CROOKED MEDIA – Former Neil Gorsuch clerk and current Trumpist Mike Davis,

GeekWire Mid-Week Update

Thursday, March 28, 2024

Read the top tech stories so far this week from GeekWire GeekWire Mid-Week Update Top stories so far this week Love it or hate it, Tesla Cybertruck turns heads in Seattle as GeekWire test drives

The Crypto World Has a New Villain

Wednesday, March 27, 2024

Columns and commentary on news, politics, business, and technology from the Intelligencer team. Intelligencer the money game The Crypto World Has a New Villain Billionaire Barry Silbert is accused of

A “nearly perfect” toothpaste

Wednesday, March 27, 2024

And more to smile about ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏

Thursday Briefing: Russia’s online attack on Ukraine aid

Wednesday, March 27, 2024

Plus, Stephen King's greatest hits. View in browser|nytimes.com Continue reading the main story Ad Morning Briefing: Asia Pacific Edition March 28, 2024 Author Headshot By Justin Porter Good

How Andreas Sator built one of the most popular podcasts in Austria

Wednesday, March 27, 2024

PLUS: Meta's pivot away from politics is hurting right-wing media the most. ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏

Deuces Wild

Wednesday, March 27, 2024

Trail Vigilante, Facing Facial Recognition Reality ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏

How this police K9 sniffs out electronics to fight crime

Wednesday, March 27, 2024

Protesters block Amazon HQ entry | Vote for Next Tech Titan and Deal of the Year ADVERTISEMENT GeekWire SPONSOR MESSAGE: The GeekWire Awards return May 9, 2024: Celebrate the Pacific Northwest's