Trade union protesters angered over President Emmanuel Macron's move to raise the retirement age without a final vote in parliament blocked the Louvre museum in Paris on Monday, frustrating crowds of visitors.
Demonstrating peacefully over Macron's plans to make most French work an extra two years to 64 to balance the pension budget, several dozen protesters gathered at the foot of the Louvre's glass pyramid. One banner read "Retire at 60 - work less to live longer."
A queue of disappointed tourists snaked through the courtyard.
"It's a shame we can't get in", one tourist from Australia said, but added, "I can understand those people who have political reasons."
The protest comes a day ahead of a 10th round of nationwide strikes and street marches and following violence in cities across France over the pension system changes.
Separately, Paris police said it was carrying out an operation to prevent unauthorised gatherings in front of the Centre Pomopidou, another landmark museum in Paris.
A Louvre tour guide came out to address the visitors. "We hope you understand our reasons," she said.
A man missing for more than 26 years has been found alive in his neighbour's cellar, just a few hundred metres from his family home. Omar bin Omran was reportedly kidnapped as a teenager and was discovered on Sunday.
China will always be a good neighbor, friend and partner of mutual trust with Russia, the state television quoted China president Xi Jinping as saying, as he mets Russian president Vladimir Putin.
Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico is no longer in a life-threatening condition after he was shot in an assassination attempt when leaving a government meeting on Wednesday, a government minister said.
US President Joe Biden and Republican rival Donald Trump on Wednesday agreed to face off in two debates on June 27 and Sept. 10, setting up the highest stakes moments yet of the race for the White House.
The number of people killed by weekend flash floods and mud slides in Indonesia's West Sumatra province has risen to 67 and 20 are still missing, authorities said on Thursday, as the government plans to relocate survivors to safer areas.
Dubai Police have issued a reminder to drivers via social media, emphasising the importance of safe driving practices. The reminder highlighted several offenses that could result in hefty fines and penalties.
The UAE’s new Blue Residency visa further cements UAE’s role as a global leader in sustainability says COP28 President and Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology, Sultan bin Ahmed Al Jaber.
The UAE has strongly condemned the attack on the Slovakian Prime Minister, who suffered life-threatening injuries, after a 71-year-old man shot and wounded him in an attempted assassination on Wednesday.