擋住鐵軌交通停擺
France is currently experiencing a fresh wave of protests against President Macron’s recent move to raise the country’s retirement age from 62 to 64, as March 28 marked the 10th time that unions have called for demonstrations.
法國近來再度爆發抗議潮，反對馬克宏總統最近將退休年齡從62歲提高至64歲的舉措，自3月28日以來，工會已經第10次呼籲示威遊行。
retirement age 退休年齡demonstration(n.) 示威活動
Although the vast majority of protests have been peaceful, some fear that they may escalate into violence.
儘管絕大多數的退休金抗議活動都是和平的，但一些人擔心可能升級為暴力事件。
the vast majority of…絕大多數的=the great majority of…escalate into~ 逐漸升級為～
The civil unrest began on January 19, with various unions voicing their opposition to the proposed pension reforms through protests and strikes.
從1月19日開始，法國經歷了近乎不間斷的民間動亂，各工會以抗議和罷工的形式表達他們對退休金改革提案的反對。
unrest(n.)動亂、動盪、騷亂civil unrest社會動盪voice(v.)表達=express=airstrike(n.)罷工
Police statistics show that the highest total of demonstrators to date was on March 7, with nearly 1.3 million people protesting.
警方統計數據顯示，3月7日示威者總人數最多，有近130萬人參加抗議。
demonstrator(n.)示威者;遊行者=protesterwith O OC附帶狀況的說明
On March 28, around 740,000 people joined in 240 rallies across the nation, although the total number may have been greater.
3月28日，全國240場集會約有74萬人參加，不過總人數可能更多。
rally(n.)集會
One union reported that the number of protestors joining actions in Paris was four times higher than the government’s estimate.
有工會指出，在巴黎參加抗議活動的人數比政府估計的高出四倍。
estimate(n.)估計(值);估算
This new wave of protests was set off by President Macron invoking a constitutional clause to force his pension reforms into law without a vote, putting an end to his wrangling with lawmakers over raising the retirement age through the legislative process.
新一波的抗議潮是由於馬克宏總統援引憲法條款，允許政府在未經國會投票的情況下，強制推行他的退休金改革法，這結束了他透過立法程序提高退休年齡而與國會議員發生的爭辯。
set off造成、引發=triggerinvoke(v.)援引、借助(法律)constitutional clause憲法條款force… into law強制執行、實施wrangle(v.)爭論、爭辯=argue=disputelegislative process立法程序
His administration justified this action by arguing that without the change, France’s existing pension system would fall into deficit due to the country’s declining birth rates and extended life expectancy.
馬克宏政府為此舉辯護，主張若不進行改革，法國現有的退休金制度將因國家出生率下降和預期壽命延長而陷入赤字。
justify(v.)為…辯護;證明…正當(或有理、正確)deficit(n.)赤字surplus(n.)盈餘life expectancy預期壽命=lifespan
The government has warned that some radical foreign “troublemakers” may try to infiltrate demonstrations to violently destabilize the French government.
政府警告有些激進的外國「麻煩製造者」可能會試圖潛入示威活動，以暴力方式破壞法國政府的穩定。
radical(adj.)激進的、過激的、極端的radical reform激烈的改革radical views激進的觀點infiltrate(v.)潛入、滲透
In addition, the ongoing protests and strikes have affected many aspects of everyday life.
此外，持續的抗議和罷工也影響到日常生活的許多方面。
In Paris, striking workers have suspended trash service, leading to a pileup of uncollected garbage.
在巴黎，罷工工人停止收集垃圾，導致垃圾堆積如山。
suspend(v.)暫停;中止
Elsewhere in France, transportation services have been disrupted due to protestors blocking railway tracks.
在法國其他地方，由於示威者擋住鐵軌，導致交通服務停擺。
As tensions continue to mount, the government has tried to reassure the international community “that France remains a welcoming place for all non-royal visitors,” hoping to continue to attract tourism despite King Charles III’s recently canceled state visit as a result of the ongoing protests.
隨著緊張局勢不斷加劇，政府試圖再向國際社會保證「法國仍然是一個歡迎所有非王室遊客的地方」，希望繼續吸引旅遊人潮，儘管查爾斯三世國王最近因為持續的抗議活動取消了國事訪問。
mount(v.)升高;加劇=escalatereassure(v.)再向…保證;使安心;使打消疑慮state visit國事訪問