French president stands firm on labour reforms amid new protests

French President Francois Hollande vowed to stick with his controversial attempts to reform the labour market, even as a new round of violent protests broke out. Police fired tear gas in central Paris as an initially peaceful protest organised by unions and students was disrupted by a more radical fringe. The labour reforms have sparked two months of protests on France's streets, drawing 68,000 nationwide on Tuesday, authorities said, while organisers put the turnout at 220,000.