Follow Ups

Following up on this post is this article.

The chief minister of Gibraltar is "significantly angry" that he was not told about a British nuclear submarine docking for repairs on the Rock.

Peter Caruana said he was upset that he found out about the HMS Sceptre from the Spanish foreign minister - who has made an official protest to the UK.

The Ministry of Defence said the stop-off was scheduled and the repairs unconnected to the nuclear system.

Madrid wants the Rock returned to Spain but Gibraltarians want to stay British.

Mr Caruana said: "Our anger is on the basis that the Spanish government were told more and much more quickly than the Gibraltar government were about the exact nature of the repairs that HMS Sceptre was undertaking.

Following up on this post is this story.

Thousands of people have taken part in demonstrations across France against the centre-right government's plan to reform the 35-hour week.

Police estimated about 300,000 people took part in marches across France.

The unions held three days of strikes in the public sector last month, and believe there is a growing mood to challenge the government.

The government says the 35-hour week has raised labour costs and kept unemployment high.

The largest demonstration in Paris was headed by trade union leaders as well as by prominent figures in the opposition Socialist party.

At least 12,000 protestors took to the streets in Toulouse, in south-west France, police said, although organisers said at least 20,000 took part.

There were also demonstrations in Rennes, Bordeaux, Lyon, Metz and Saint-Etienne.

Demonstrators have been buoyed by a recent poll showing that at least 69% of the French public supports the current protests.

Western Europe looks more like the Left Coast of America with each passing year... Or maybe it's vice versa?

UPDATE: There's an article about the French work week controversy at Tech Central Station.