we begin in france, where unions will be staging strike action today against the government s pension reform plans. the government is aiming to raise the retirement age from 62 to 64 years. today marks the sixth day of strikes and protests since mid january, and unions say it will be the biggest yet with workers across a range of sectors expected to mobilise. teachers, gas and electricity workers, train drivers, and industrial workers are all expected to join. part of the french government plan is also to raise the minimum pension to 1,200 euro a month, which is over 550 euro higher than the current minimum figure. but unions want more due to rising inflation. let s go live to paris now and talk to tomasz michalski associate professor of economics at the hec business school in paris. we spoke about these injanuary but they are still continuing into march. but they are still continuing into march. , , . , , into march. the public support is there for into march. the public
in society anyway so need to get on top of making sure everyone can access those services and a stage of mitigation and prevention as opposed to trying to meet demand. to trying to meet demand. speaking to trying to meet demand. speaking to some young to trying to meet demand. speaking to some young people, to trying to meet demand. speaking to some young people, a to trying to meet demand. speaking to some young people, a lot - to trying to meet demand. speaking to some young people, a lot have i to some young people, a lot have said they feel the good friday agreement is something that belongs to the past and they are only interested in the future but would young people like to see the agreement changed?- young people like to see the agreement changed? yes, that is definitely worth agreement changed? yes, that is definitely worth exploring - agreement changed? yes, that is| definitely worth exploring because agreement changed? yes, that is i definitely worth explor
we start in the us, where the rate of inflation has slowed to its lowest level in nearly 2 years. figures released in the last hour, show the consumer prices index came in at 5% last month, lower than expected. but what does it mean for central banks that have been agressively raising interest rates around the world, to keep a lid on prices? well the deputy director of the imf has been speaking to our north america correspondent, samira hussain, about what could happen next. let s speak to her now. she s in washington. it isa it is a really interesting interview. if the idea that banks need to hold firm on the idea of raising rates until we are clear of the peak of inflation? we raising rates until we are clear of the peak of inflation? raising rates until we are clear of the peak of inflation? we spend such a lona time the peak of inflation? we spend such a long time in the peak of inflation? we spend such a long time in an the peak of inflation? we spend such a long ti
slower demand for consumer goods, rising borrowing costs and constant talk of a global recession, have not gone unnoticed by the manufacturing sector, which is currently experiencing acute challenges balancing supply and avoiding over production. january data from many of the world s key economies will be unveiled later giving the earliest signs of how the global economy is faring. many economists will be looking for risks of recession and any pricing trends. fhaheen khan is senior economist with make uk the manufacturers organisation that represents 20,000 companies of all sizes. good to have you on the programme. wejust heard good to have you on the programme. we just heard from japan and you said many countries are coming out with pmi data say showing that the manufacturing shrank for a third row that make months in a row injapan. export third row that make months in a row in japan. export weakness is seen as persistent at the moment and that is the concern, isn t it, righ
of rain, breezy but for central southern and eastern england a drier date especially across the south east, still a few showers in the afternoon but not as intense as today. temperatures around the seasonal norm, 23 25 in england and wales, 19 20 further north and we will have lost the humidity. friday sunshine and showers, most in the north and west, the best brighter weather will be in the south and east and temperatures close to 20 across the north. in the weekend turning more unsettled and windy. thanks, stav. that s it. i ll be back at ten, but you can keep up with all the latest developments of course on the bbc website, and the news hello, and welcome to sportsday i m hugh ferris. the headlines this evening. the opening of the heavens and a pope are england s only salvation, as south africa control a rain shortened first day at lord s. those in the water, even briefly, bring britain s golden day at the european championships, with andrea spendolini sirieix taking a