in the world

Gaps have appeared in the schedule of the Paris Saint-Lazare station. This means a strike has begun. The first protest of this year by French railway workers will last 36 hours: from 8 pm on Tuesday to 8 am on Thursday and will affect all types of railway transport in the capital and regions. Four railway workers' unions are demanding higher wages and are opposing government plans to cut 3,500 jobs in 2004. Strikers are also angry about the government's plans to impose mandatory minimum customer service, which unions say jeopardizes the constitutionally guaranteed right to strike.
Senator John Kerry became the leader of the US presidential race among Democrats, following the results of meetings of party activists in Iowa. Many regarded this result as unexpected. The 60-year-old Vietnam War veteran received 38% of the state's Democratic vote. Missouri Congressman Richard Gephardt, who received just over 10%, decided to stop fighting altogether. The next stage of the Democratic race is the New Hampshire primary on January 27.
The monkey, a symbol of the Lunar New Year coming on January 22, is the most beloved of the 12 calendar animals in the understanding of the Chinese for their intelligence and liveliness. Therefore, they believe, the year should be happy. The monkey is the ninth in a series of symbols of chronology, which was adopted in ancient times not only in China, but also in other neighboring countries. The arrival of the lunar new year in China marks the beginning of spring - preparation for the agricultural season. In order for everything to go well, the Chinese clean out their homes and on the first day of the year strive to meet older relatives and give gifts to younger ones, for which many have to travel to other cities and towns. After the New Year, many Chinese will go on vacation for at least a week. However, not all residents of the Celestial Empire become a source of joy. According to the China Daily newspaper, many these days are turning to psychotherapists due to the so-called “New Year's syndrome.” But the main thing that depresses the Chinese is their inability to pay off their debts, which is considered a bad sign for the start of the new year.