1.   French stocks fell from record highs on concern a corporate tax increase combined with separate measures intended to make it harder for companies to sack workers would crimp profit.

2.   The telephone company sacked telephone workers after the Labor Ministry declared a six-day strike earlier in the year was illegal, La Republica newspaper said.

3.   So far, the company has sacked nearly five per cent of it its worldwide workforce.

4.   Expect coverage France-jobs PARIS The French partliament is expected to vote through a controversial new law that will make it harder for companies to sack workers.