Free Republic

SOME 600 people gathered in the western French city of Nantes to protest the new year's arrival today Lashed by rain, the organisers said even the weather was against 2007, as they milled about under banners reading "No to 2007!" and "Now is better!" "The world will come to understand that it must stop this mad course towards the future and we demand the governments of the world and the United Nations declare a moratorium to stop this December 31 the future," said one of the organisers. The tension mounted as the minutes ticked away, but the arrival of midnight...

FRANCE is bracing for a "black Tuesday" of strikes and demonstrations against the government's contested youth jobs contract, amid warnings of a growing risk of violence. An alliance of trade unions and student organisations has called for a fifth day of nationwide protests in its campaign against Prime Minister Dominique de Villepin's First Employment Contract (CPE), which makes it easier for employers to hire and fire under 26 year-olds. Public transport is expected to be badly hit across the country, with only one metro train in two operating in the capital. Airport authorities have warned passengers to expect delays and...