A BREAK IN THE STRIKE

Most Paris subway and bus drivers have now agreed to return to work, but bureau chief Thomas Sancton says there is still no sign that other public transportation employees will end their three-week strike: "Some drivers are going back to work, but it's definitely not an indication that the strike is over," Sancton reports. Workers on the Paris commuter and intercity trains will continue striking, despite recent government concessions that included an agreement to renegotiate the five-year contract with the national railway company. "There's going to be another big demonstration here on Saturday that may draw support from private-sector employees, which could be an indication the strike is going to continue for a while longer." Which means that French cities will remain snarled with traffic jams and millions forced to walk or bicycle to work for a while longer as well.