France transport system disrupted by protests against austerity

Strikes have disrupted some French trains and schools as unions across France plan protests against government austerity measures. President Nicolas Sarkozy''s government said the cost-cutting measures are essential to reducing the country''s debts and allowing France to remain a pillar of the troubled eurozone. The striking and protesting workers said the cuts hit some sectors and workers unfairly hard and that the rich should make more of a contribution. Strikes Tuesday reduced or tangled traffic on some Paris subway and commuter train lines. The SNCF national railway said one in four high-speed TGV trains has been canceled, but international connections are running as usual.