But the CDT and FO unions - which have called a number of widespread strikes across France in protest at pension reforms - are refusing to sign up.

BBC: French festivals hit by strikes

One low-volatility stock is Fortune Brands (nyse: FO - news - people ), which has a 52-week beta of 0.52 and a Barra Risk Factor of only 5.

FORBES: Magazine Article

Every year since 2003, artists in the Fo Tan neighbourhood have opened their usually private workspaces to the public in a weekend-long festival, called Fotanian Open Studios.

BBC: Hong Kong artists open their studios

On a more positive note, citizens groups have held or are organizing more than 220 public fo-rums, nearly one for each of the 300 single-seat constituencies, where candidates are asked to explain their policy stances.

CNN: Not so Fresh Polls

The World Heritage Committee also recognized efforts already undertaken to help Mali safeguard its heritage, notably the sending of a mission in May by Director-General of UNESCO, Irina Bokova, and the efforts fo the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and the countries of the region to help the people of Mali resolve the crisis.

UNESCO: OFFICE IN BRASILIA