French retirement age protests escalate; Trump rally in Texas; antisemitism rises in the U.S; NPR layoffs

Plus, let’s talk about sex, baby. [View this email online]( [NPR]( by Suzanne Nuyen Good morning. Gonzaga shattered UCLA’s March Madness dreams last night. The women’s Sweet 16 tournament begins tonight. Here’s what else we’re following today. 🥇 First up [ A woman wearing a black face covering poses by a burning barricade during a demonstration in Nantes on March 18.]( Clement Mahoudeau/AFP via Getty Images Trash is filling the streets of France, trains were stopped and roads blockaded as strikes against President Emmanual Macron’s attempt to raise the retirement age grow larger and more violent. Reporter Lisa Bryant spoke to protesters. She tells the Up First podcast this morning that they say [they’ll keep protesting]( to force Macron to repeal the reform. But Macron shows no signs of giving up, and he says he’s ready to pay the price of unpopularity. ➡️ The turmoil over retirement age says a lot about France’s work culture, which prioritizes [quality of life, work-life balance and a comfortable retirement](. Former President Trump kicks off his 2024 campaign tomorrow with a visit to Waco, Texas. The city is near the site of a [prolonged, deadly 1993 standoff between an anti-government Christian cult and federal law enforcement]( where more than 80 people died. Jason Whitley, senior political reporter at WFAA in Dallas, noted the symbolism and tells Up First that the area "is really [where the modern-day radical right was born]( in this country." But the Trump campaign denies that that’s the reason it was picked, and Whitley says Texas Republicans have never held up what happened near Waco as "some type of rallying cry." Antisemitic incidents in the U.S. rose 36% in 2022, making it the third time in five years that the count has been the highest number ever recorded, according to the Anti-Defamation League. Schools and synagogues have have been increasingly targeted, and the ADL says the numbers should be a wake-up call to the government to "[use their bully pulpits to speak out against antisemitism and all forms of hate and extremism]( Four of NPR’s podcasts —Invisibilia, Louder Than a Riot, Rough Translation and Everyone & Their Mom have been canceled as the company moves to cut 10% of its workforce this week. The layoffs represent the [largest reduction in force at NPR]( since the 2008 recession. --------------------------------------------------------------- Newsletter continues after sponsor message --------------------------------------------------------------- 🌱 Life Advice [Photograph from directly above, showing many repeating ready-to-use red condoms in purple packages on yellow colored background.]( Javier Zayas Photography/Getty Images Sex is fun. Talking about sex? Not so much. Luckily, family physician and sex educator Evalene Dacker has a handy framework that will jump-start holistic conversations about sexual health with your partner. [Just remember your S.T.A.R.S. and ask the right questions](. ⭐ S: sexual health. When were you last tested for STIs? Have you tested positive for one? ⭐ T: turn-ons. What are you into? What do you want to try? ⭐ A: avoids. What aren’t you into? What don’t you want to do? ⭐ R: relationship intentions and expectations. Do you want something casual? Will you be monogamous? ⭐ S: safety needs. What do you need to feel safe physically and emotionally in a relationship? Watch Dacker speak in depth about [how to use her S.T.A.R.S method]( or [listen to her tips](. --------------------------------------------------------------- 🎥 Weekend picks [ A screenshot from HBO’s Succession, where Sarah Snook as Siobhan Roy is on the phone near a lake.]( : Claudette Barius/HBO Check out what [our critics]( are watching, reading and listening to this weekend: 🍿 Film: John Wick just wants a little me time. NPR’s Ayesha Rascoe says the visceral action scenes and moments of levity keep her coming back to the series for [John Wick: Chapter 4](. 📺 Television: [Succession]( is coming back on Sunday. Get ready to welcome the Roy family back for a complicated, darkly funny, bantering, betraying, punch-packing start to season four. 📚 Books: Carole Lindstrom’s children’s picture book [My Powerful Hair]( turns a painful truth about racism into a celebration of Native culture. 🎵 Music: Nickel Creek is back after nine years. Written during the pandemic, [Celebrants]( is at its heart an album about human connection. --------------------------------------------------------------- 🛑 Before You Go [ Lake Saimaa in Puumala, Finland]( Alessandro Rampazzo/AFP via Getty Images - Finland has been the happiest country in the world for six years, and it’s ready to reveal its secrets. The country is hosting a [four-day happiness masterclass]( in June and 10 lucky applicants will get in for free. - A wolverine has been spotted in Oregon outside of its usual roaming range for the [first time in more than three decades]( thrilling wildlife biologists. - Hawaii’s HōkÅ«leÊ»a is set to embark on a four-year voyage to circumnavigate the Pacific in a mission to help [navigate the Earth towards a more sustainable future](. (via [Hawai’i Public Radio]( --------------------------------------------------------------- Stream your local NPR station. Visit NPR.org to find your local station stream. [Find a Station]( --------------------------------------------------------------- Enjoying this newsletter? Forward to a friend! They can [sign up here](. Looking for more great content? [Check out all of our newsletter offerings]( — including Music, Politics, Health and more! You received this message because you're subscribed to Daily News emails. 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