In France, a mass strike by unions against the government's plan to raise the retirement age disrupted transport and closed schools on Thursday. Transport authorities said about one in two mainline trains were running in and out of Paris, with three in four Paris metro trains operating. <br/><br/>The airport authority said 15 per cent of flights would have to be cancelled. The teachers' union SNUipp-FSU said some schools closed their doors to pupils. Radio stations such as all-news France Info played music to fill the gaps in their programming left by striking staff. <br/><br/>The government last week unveiled proposals to raise the retirement age from 60 to 62 amid efforts to cut France's big budget deficit. The National Assembly is to vote on the proposal in September.