Author: Charlot Renaud

Business sentiment declined only slightly in March despite the social tensions surrounding the pension reform. This confirms that activity in France is resilient, even if the outlook for the coming quarters remains moderate Slight decrease in business climate In France, the business climate decreased slightly in March, to 103 compared to 104 in February. The indicator is still above its long-term average and has been remarkably stable since June, fluctuating between 102 and 104. The decrease in March can be explained by the fact that in all sectors business leaders are slightly less optimistic about past activity and expected activity.…

One of Flemish painter Pieter Brueghel the Younger’s largest known works, whose discovery behind the television room door of a house in northern France amazed the art world, has fetched 780,000 euros ($845,000) at auction in Paris One of Flemish painter Pieter Brueghel the Younger’s largest known works, whose discovery behind the television room door of a house in northern France amazed the art world, fetched 780,000 euros ($845,000) at auction in Paris Tuesday. The 17th century oil painting — which experts call “exceptional” and was long considered a fake by its owners — was discovered by chance in December…

Protesters on the tracks at a Paris rail station. Smoke bombs let off at Biarritz airport. Anger at French President Emmanuel Macron’s pension reforms showed no sign of letting up on Tuesday as the nation prepared for a 10th day of nationwide demonstrations. Sweeping protests have paralyzed major services across the country in recent weeks over Macron’s proposal to raise the retirement age for most workers from 62 to 64, in a move that as riled opposition lawmakers and trade unions. Up to 900,000 protesters were expected to join 240 rallies planned throughout France on Tuesday, with 100,000 protesters anticipated to fill the streets…

France’s blue-chip index scaled record highs today, with a boost from Airbus and Pernod Ricard that also lifted the broader European STOXX 600 index to a one-year high. France’s CAC 40 index at one point rose to 7,387.29 points, beating a lifetime high of 7,384.86 points reached on January 5, 2022. The index was last up 0.9%, leading gains among its regional peers. French stocks have risen nearly 14% so far this year, following a battering in 2022, boosted by hopes that the euro zone will narrowly avoid a recession and surging shares of luxury goods groups that rely heavily…

Former commander of US ground forces in Europe, retired General Ben Hodges reaffirmed his earlier view that Crimea could become the most important battlefield that could finally decide Ukraine’s military confrontation with Russia. But for this, according to the military, the Armed Forces of Ukraine need long-range missiles, writes Ukrinform. “ We are going to do everything possible for Ukraine to win this year. It is quite possible, at least, that Ukraine will liberate Crimea before the end of the summer,” Hodges said. The American military is confident that the Armed Forces of Ukraine should be able to shoot at 150-300 kilometers, and at the same…

Russia on Sunday slammed France President Emmanuel Macron over his remarks about wanting to see Russia defeated in the war against Ukraine and reminded him of the fate of Napoleon Bonaparte while accusing the French president of duplicitous diplomacy with the Kremlin. Macron had told paper Le Journal du Dimanche that France wanted Russia to be defeated in Ukraine but had never wanted to “crush” it. Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Sunday (February 19) slammed Macron and invoked Napoleon while accusing France and the West of attempting to “change the government” in Moscow. Foreign Ministry’s spokesperson Maria Zakharova said…

SK Geo Centric (SKGC), SUEZ, and Loop Industries (Loop) announced on Feb. 15 (Montreal, Canada local time) that the Chemesis industrial platform in Saint-Avold, located in the Grand Est region of France, has been selected as the site for the first European Infinite Loop manufacturing facility. SUEZ is a global leader in circular solutions in water and waste, and Loop is a clean technology company whose mission is to accelerate a circular plastics economy by manufacturing 100% recycled polyethylene terephthalate (PET) plastic and polyester fiber. This international project, supported by the French Ministries of Industry and Ecology, the Grand Est…

In an interview published Saturday night, French President Emmanuel Macron stressed that he wants Russia to be “defeated” in its war on Ukraine, but not to be “crushed”.  In the same context, he ruled out that “Russia must be completely defeated and attacked on its territory.” Macron touched on the war in Ukraine in an interview with “Le Journal du Dimanche”, “Le Figaro” and “France International” radio, on his way back on Friday evening from the Munich Security Conference.  French President Emmanuel Macron said in an interview published Saturday night that he wants Russia to be “defeated” in its war on Ukraine, but…

Military-ruled Burkina Faso suspends accord with France, orders troops to leave within a month, reports state media. Burkina Faso’s military government has ordered French troops stationed in the West African country to leave within a month. The decision, announced by the official Agence d’Information du Burkina (AIB) on Saturday, is the latest sign of deteriorating relations between France and its former colony since a second military coup in September of last year. The AIB said the military government on Wednesday suspended a 2018 military accord that allowed the presence of French troops in the country. There was no immediate comment…

Riot police officers grab a protestor during a demonstration against pension changes today in Paris. Workers in many French cities took to the streets today to reject proposed pension changes that would push back the retirement age, amid a day of nationwide strikes and protests seen as a major test for Emmanuel Macron and his presidency. (AP Photo/Lewis Joly) PARIS (AP) — At least 1.1 million people protested on the streets of Paris and other French cities today amid nationwide strikes against plans to raise the retirement age — but President Emmanuel Macron insisted he would press ahead with the…