♪ ♪ narrator: funding for presentation of this program is provided by.. the freeman foundation. by judy and peter blum-kovler foundation. pursuing solutions for america's neglected needs. and by contributions to this pbs station from viewers like you, thank you. woman: and now, "bbc world news".

>> hello, this is outside source. hundreds of thousands in france marched in opposition to president macron's pension reforms fo the 10th day. a fire kills at least 39 people in a migrant processing center on the u.s.-mexico border. >> before the fire, you would ask for information and they would not tell you anything. we are worried about our family. even if they are illegal or undocumented, we are human beings who feel. >> the interagency agency mi5 increases the terror threat level in northern ireland from substantial to severe, meaning an attack is considered highly likely. police in nashville reveal a former student had carefully planned monday's mass school shooting that killed six people, incling three children.

we start in france. a 10th day of mass protests and strikes has been taken day over president macron's controversial pension refos. testers have been rocking railway lines and roads, plans to raise the pension age from 62 to 60 four. clashes with riot police and tear gas been used. hearing from one protester in her 60's who has been on the streets today. >> macron has concentrated all of his political power in his role as president. he has not given a share of the decision-making to the government. and the unions are trying to in an orderly fashion persuade the government, macron to negotiate. he's refusing to.

>> a closer look at the reforms president macron is trying to push through. the state retirement age is 62. lower than the european neighbors. in the u.k., it is currently 66. there are many and italy 67. demographics only 1.7 workers for every pensioner in france. down from 2.1 in two thousand. if the retirement age wereo remain fixed, it would be 1.2 tax paid workers to support each retiree in 2070. retirement spending by the state was equal to 13.6 percent of its economy in 2020 e compared to about 10% in germany and nearly 11% in spain. our correspondent is in paris with more. >> we are where the march ended. it has ended. but there's still crowds, young people, students. university students in the

middle. every now and again, a game of cat and mouse with the police who you probably cannot see. sending in teargas. white smoke and crowds coming in. chanting how they hate the police. the police move back and reclaim the center of the square. it is quite jubilant. but there are moments of tension. it is very ritualistic. >> even for a country where we are used to seeing street protests, how does it rate? what level of unrest is across the country? >> we see moments of tension,

quite dramatic pictures every now and then. what should overstate the sense of insurrection has been fairly contained. maybe things will break out later on. on thursday, there were much more serious after the demonstration. that is not to say across the country there is not the high level of anger, dissatisfaction, and occasionally, tension over this pension reform. >> is it possible to say how much public support theres for these protests? >> there's a lot of public support, opposition to the reform. 70% of the country is against the reform. these demonstrations are left, the left and far lift -- far left.

the far right is against the reforms. the far right is staying at home. they represent a big block of the population and oppose it. emmanuel macron is an isolated figure in the center of french politics. certainly without a majority in the country behind this reform. he says it is necessary for the safekeeping of the pension system. 's prepared to take on his shoulders in popularity because he will not be reelected. >> now to mexico. 39 people have died in a fire at a migrant facility near the border with the u.s.. the mexican president said the migrants accidentally caused the fire themselves during a protest against their imminent deportation. this is where the fire started near a major bridge linking the mexican cy to el paso, texas.

one of mexico's border towns, where migrants remain standard where they attempt to seek refuge. most of the five victims were migrants from guatemala. arrested the day before. this was the scene on nday night as firefighters and ambulances rushed to the facility used for processing migrants. here's the mexican president explaining how the tragedy unfolded. >> 39 migrants died. it had to do with the protest they started when they found out they would be deported. they put mattresses and set fire to them. they did not think it would cause this terrible tragedy. >> family members are waiting for news about their loved ones. this migrant is looking for his wife. >> nobody tells me anything about her. i don't know what is going to happen. i ask and they give us a rude

answer or no information. i want to know what is happening because i worry about my family. i want to know what will happen to her. if they will deport them. he would ask for information and they would not tell you anything. we are worried about our family. even if we are illegal or undocumented, we are human beings who feel. >> a journalist explained the complexity of the situation at the u.s.-mexico border. >> the really important thing to remember is the situation on the border, the southern side of the border,s the product of a years long effort by the u.s. in collaboration with mexico to prevent the entry of migrants into u.s. territory where they can legally claim asylum. what this has resulted in is years long accumulation with the migrant populations on the mexico side of the border in border cities all along the mexico side of the line. so the reason something like this can happen is the u.s. has

been pushing these people consistently under trump and biden to the mexico side leading to overcrowded shelters, detention centers, tense relationships between migrant communities and immigration authorities acting as proxies of the u.s. you have situations like this with large numbers of migrants in the facility. it is almost inevitably devastating. >> marcus gonzalez has been following the story. >> the explanation until now is the fire started during the protest that they would be deported. and this is what spread the fire quickly. investigating why they could not leave on time, relatives of the victims ar asking in which

conditions they were detained. they are asking for information and why they could not go out on time. most of the victims were from south america, mainly from guatemala and venezuela. some of them have been detained by authorities and take into the center after they found them in the city without the documentation to stay here in mexico. >> what are the numbers like, in terms of the people moving through this route at the moment and the conditions they are kept in? >> as many other mexican cities in the northern border, it has a huge increase of migrants coming from other countries to cross to the u.s. so the situation is tense

sometimes, some are waiting weeks or even months in the streets waiting for that possible lifting of restrictions to cross to the u.s. and ask for asylum. let's also remember the famous title, it would allow the u.s. government to send them quickly to mexico, joe biden said many times it would come to an end after the pandemic. even though many of these people out there are still waiting very close to the bder, waiting for news, which at the moment did not happen. >> we heard that from one family member looking for his wife. what will happen with people caught up in this awful incident? >> we just know authorities are

going to investigate what will happen, and local authorities are offering support as needed to the relatives of the victims and to the injured. almost 30 people in hospital, some in critical conditions. it is not clear what will happen. in the case of the other thousands of migrants in mexico, waiting for the news so they can go to the u.s. across the border and asylum. this is not possible at the moment, according to the restrictions. >> the terrorism threat level in northern ireland has been raised from substantial to severe.

the risk of an attack is highly unlikely. the risk assessment coming after a rise in activity by dissident republicans. the terror threat was downgraded in march for the first time in 12 years. let's take a look at what happened in northern ireland since. in april, they were targeted with bombs with the attack linked to dissident republicans. an attempted murder investigation was launched after a bomb attacked damage a police vehicle. a strong line of inquiry was the new ira was behind the attack. a delivery driver was held at gunpoint and abandoned his car inside of a police station. the chief inspector john was shot in omar county, tyrone. the new ira said it was behind the attack. here's the deputy chief constable of the police service of northern ireland. >> we have seen a number of attacks over the last six or seven months.

to the police service and other partrs. certainly the message to those of us at the front of this, the police services. we have to treat this seriously. >> let's take a closer look at the five threat levels. vertical is the highest level, meaning an attack is expected imminently. severe means a basic attack highly likely. substantial means a possibility. moderate means possible but not likely. low means the threat of an attack is exactly that. jeffrey donelson is the leader of the democrat party's -- party, he's concerned about the changes. >> it is crucial to government steps up and provides additional funding needed to enable the police service in northern ireland to recruit the additional police officers they need so they will have the resources and capacity to counter this very serious terrorist threat. >> the concern comes days after

a framework deal was agreed between the commission. the foreign secretary and vice president of the european commission signing off last friday. it is designed to make trade between northern ireland and the rest of the u.k. easier post brexit. goods from britain destined to northern ireland with a separat redline for destined for the eu here's the u.k. prime minister speaking following the ratification. >> a jobless tim impment it for the people of northern ireland and restores the balance of the belfast good friday agreement. >> the ireland correspondent. talk about the significance of today's change. >> there is always a continuing security threat in northern ireland primarily posed by violent dissident republicans. these are armed groups known as power militaries somewhat of a hangover from the days of

conflict 25 years ago. who still exist in a much smaller form today. ultimately their aim is for northern ireland to leave the u.k. and become a united ireland wherthey believe in carrying out political violence to pursue this aim. security services had downgraded the threat level in northern ireland. for much of the past 13 years, it has remained severe. raised back to severe once again today because security services believe there has been increased activity from these violent dissident republican groups. the most notable incident happened last month when a senior police officer was shot multiple times in that incident. he was critically injured. he has survived the attack and the attack was claimed by the most prominent dissident republican group known as the new ira.

that is one factor that will have gone into the assessment with the threat level being upgraded when they look at the intelligence about the group's capabilities and what their intentions are. >> what is the reaction to this? >> among the wider public, there is no great alarm. that is because any people in northern ireland remember a much darker history. conflict existed here that was brought to an end by the peace agreement. the good friday agreement 25 years ago. as the anniversary, the peace process is around the corner, it is about to be marked, there is dismay that it underlines the fact even a quarter of a century on in northern ireland there are groups that recruit young people and are still determined to pursue violence. >> to the u.s. now. police in nashville released

dramatic body camera footage as officers responded to a mass shooting on monday. it captures the moment the shooter was shot dead. six people were killed at a christian primary school. three of them children aged eight or nine. we heard a statement from the school saying we are grieving tremendous loss and are in shock coming out of the terror that shattered our school and church. a short time ago, the police gave this update. >> we interviewed the parents and determined audrey bought seven firearms from five different local gun stores legally purchased. three of those weapons were used yesterday during the horrific tragedy that happened. >> let's recap what we know about the attacker. 28 years old, it is thought she was a former student of the

school. resentment could have been a motive. police believe there were other targets in mind, including family members. u.s. president joe biden has been speaking about the incident. here's some of what he said. >> she's coming with us. as a nation, we owe these families more than our prayers. we owe them action. we have to do more to stop this gun violence ripping communities apart, ripping apart the soul of the nation. to protect our children so they learn how to read and write instead of duck and cover. i call on congress to pass the assault weapons ban. it suld not be a partisan issue. it is a common sense issue. people say why do i keep saying this if its not happening? because i want you to know who's not doing it. who's not helping. to put pressure on them. >> vigils have been held for the victims of the makeshift memorial outside of the school. let's hear from two local

residents. >> i don't think anything is going to change. people are just too upset -- i'm for gun rights, i carry a gun with me most days. but i don't need an assault rifle, i don't think it should be as easy to buy flowers as it is a gun. there's just not enough to protect children. >> i feel ke i was in shock and it was so close to home and the fact that it was an attack on ourhildren. i was in shock. it is right up the street. >>'s gun violence on the rise across the u.s.? a mass shooting is defined as four or more people injured or killed. over 130 mass shootings across the u.s. so far this year. war than 600 mass shootings in each of the last three years. she's a survivor of one of them. >> aren't you guys tired of

covering this? are you tired of being here and having to cover these mass shootings? my son and i survived a mass shooting in highland park, illinois. i'm in tennessee on a family vacation with my son visiting my sister-in-law. i have been lobbying in d.c. since we survived a mass shooting in july. i've met with over 130 lawmakers. how is it still happening? how are our children still dying and where we are failing them? gun violence is the number one killer of children and teams. it has overtaken cars. assault weapons or contribute into the border crisis and fentanyl. we are arming cartels with our guns and lose gun laws. these mass shootings will continue to happen until our lawmakers step up and pass gun safety legislation. >> the editor in chief of the tennessee lookout. i spoke to her earlier. >> police responded in a calm fashion as opposed to other mass

shootings in the u.s. the past year. we are still learning details. there is no real motive released. we undstood the shooter was a past student. i think she probably had some disagreements with the school. i've talked with law enforcement officials who read the mass -- manifesto, and there doesn't seem to be a clearotive yet. >> do you think it will change views in that part of the u.s. on gun ownership? >> i don't think it will change views on gun ownership in the south or any part of the u.s. i think america is sick with guns. it is one of the few amendments of the constitution many people can talk about, even though there are many other constitutional amendments. it will respect the u.s. constitution and enact gun safety laws. >> what about the question of

mental health, those who have psychological issues? would it change views on how much people should be monitored or helped? >> i think it is clear anyone who commits that kind of carnage entering a school, church, or grocery store as happens all too often. anyone who enters with assault weapons intending to kill people is mentally ill. but the u.s. has shown no wheel in the last 40 years to spend money on mental health. the state of tennessee doesn't show any will. we need to lack -- enact same gun laws and invests in mental health. i really don't see any political will for either of those to happen. >> public opinion after these horrific incidents, does it not push lawmakers into these kinds of directions? we have this debate every single time. so tragic to watch. >> it is disgusting.

i don't see any change, they have already said this can be fixed, one congressman from tennessee shrugged his shoulders to reporters and said i sent my kid -- i homeschool my kid. it doesn't matter, there were probably 400 people who showed up to protest a new gun law. i think politicians particularly in conservative states, where conservative lawmakers have a majority, they don't care. they don't care what their constituents say. in some cases, they don't listen to lobbyists, the people who give them money. i don't know who where they are listening to. few people are happy with them. >> the mood after this shooting, you have children attacked, it is hard to takin. >> it is terrible. nashville is the kind of city, a small enough city that people have a connection to the

shooting. either they know the parents or the children, or the administrators or teachers. there is connection. yesterday was the most beautiful spring day. a beautiful place in tennessee. blue skies, green leaves popping out. incongruous tragedy. >> the head of twitter has announced new privileges restricted to users who pay a monthly fee. in a recent post, he wrote users with verified accounts can have their tweets amplified in the recommendations. nonpaying use will also no longer be allowed ote in polls. let me remind you of our top story today. hundreds of thousands of protesters in france have been staging another day of strikes and rallies against the government's decision to raise the average retirement age to 64

after a peaceful march in central paris, far left demonstrators clashed with the right police. in the western city, protesters set fire to a car and the boarded-up front of a bank. nationwide, fewer people to part the demonstrations then last week. a record number of police were deployed in the hope of preventing serious disturbances last thursday's protests. president macron is not showing any political sign of backing down on his plans to raise the pension age, which would bring it to the french level more in line with other nations in europe. aging populations. we are back at the same time tomorrow. and for a couple more days this week. narrator: funding for presentationf this program is pvided by.. the freeman foundation. by judy and peter blum-kovler foundation.

pursuing solutions for america's neglected needs. and by contributions to this pbs station from viewers like you, thank you. ♪ ♪ narrator: you're watching pbs.

♪ ♪ narrator: funding for presentation of this program is provided by.. the freeman foundation. by judy and peter blum-kovler foundation. pursuing solutions for america's neglected needs. and by contributions to this pbs station from viewers like you, thank you. woman: and now, "bbc world news".