French unions are staging strikes and mass protests over President Nicolas Sarkozy’s proposed pension reforms, which would raise the retirement age from 60 to 62. Rail service, buses, public broadcasting, and other public services have been affected by the walkouts.

In other news, the White House has announced that it will not consider an extension of President Bush’s tax cuts. This has dashed the last hopes of Congressional Democrats, who will now be forced to fight their fall election campaigns trying to defend their party’s raising of taxes.

Meanwhile, the resignation of CDA MP Ab Klink has revived the prospect of coalition talks in the Netherlands. Geert Wilders has indicated that Mr. Klink’s departure has removed a major obstacle to negotiations, and the PVV is ready to resume discussions with the CDA and the VVD about forming a government.

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Thanks to 4symbols, Barry Rubin, C. Cantoni, CSP, DS, Fjordman, Gaia, Insubria, KGS, Kitman, Srdja Trifkovic, TV, and all the other tipsters who sent these in.

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