France approves compromise youth jobs plan

France's lower house of parliament approved a watered-down youth jobs plan on Wednesday to replace a bolder measure that sparked massive protests and plunged the country into turmoil. Lawmakers from the ruling UMP party rushed to get the new plan passed before spring recess set to begin Friday. The National Assembly voted 151-93 in favor of four new measures in the revised plan. The compromise, hammered out between unions and lawmakers from Chirac's governing party, includes training programs and internships for disadvantaged youths.