Truckers, Cabdrivers Join Fuel Cost Protests

Hundreds of truckers and taxi drivers joined farmers in blocking roads around France’s main cities to protest the rising cost of fuel, despite Finance Minister Laurent Fabius’ announcement of price cuts. Traffic was snarled from Strasbourg in the northeast to Toulouse in the southwest, causing major headaches for travelers returning home from vacation. Truckers also threatened to block access to oil refineries and storage centers Monday. “I hope we and the government can figure out a way to ensure the survival of the French trucking industry,” said Rene Petit, president of the French Truckers Union.