France Adopts Divisive Labor Law Without Vote

PARIS (AP) — A deeply divisive labor bill has been definitively adopted by the French Parliament after the government used a special measure to force it through without a vote.     Prime Minister Manuel Valls argued to the lower house of Parliament that the bill, which makes layoffs easier and extends the work week, is necessary to create jobs and make the economy more globally competitive.     He used the special measure because left and right couldn’t agree on the reforms.     The bill led to months of violent clashes between police and leftist protesters who accuse the government of trampling on democracy and dismantling hard-won worker protections.     Conservative critics say the bill doesn’t go far enough.     Copyright 2016 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.