France hit by wave of protests over jobs plan

Tens of thousands of students and workers marched in Paris and other French cities today in what was expected to be the biggest show of anger yet at a jobs plan that has led to violence in the streets and threatens to weaken the government.

For the second time in three days, students – this time joined by unions and employees – were using marches to press the conservative government to withdraw the measure, which could take effect in April.