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Cars were torched in Paris and other French cities in the evening during otherwise peaceful demonstrations involving several thousand people. "Something fundamental happened, and that is that, immediately, spontaneous mobilisations took place throughout the country," hard-left leader Jean-Luc Melenchon said. Protests took place in cities including Toulon on Friday, and more were planned for the weekend. Macron will want to turn the page quickly, with government officials already preparing more socially minded reforms. Amid the unrest on Thursday evening, someone had tagged on a shop front: "Let's destroy what destroys us."

[1/8] Protesters, holding a placard which reads "Members of parliament, do not vote the pension reform bill", gather in front of the National Assembly in Paris as French parliament set to vote on pensions reform bill, France, March 16, 2023. The afternoon vote in the National Assembly, the lower house of parliament, is a different matter. "It seems that the tally does not ensure a win in the National Assembly," Bruno Retailleau, the head of the LR senators told Public Senat TV. It could decide to resort to a procedure known as "49:3", which would allow it to push the text through without a vote. "If this reform is adopted, the anger and the contestation of this reform will not end," Laurent Berger, the head of CFDT, France's largest union, told franceinfo.

[1/11] Protesters take part in a demonstration against the French government's pension reform plan, as part of the eighth day of national strike and protests, in Ancenis-Saint-Gereon, France, March 15, 2023. The pension bill passed to a joint parliamentary committee on Wednesday where lawmakers from the lower and upper chambers are seeking a compromise text. If a deal is reached, a final vote in both the Senate and National Assembly will be held on Thursday. This new day of protests "is meant to tell lawmakers: don't vote this reform," he said. "In the National Assembly, there will not be an easy vote, nor will there be panic," government spokesman Olivier Veran told Europe 1 radio station.

On Tuesday, a nationwide day of industrial action brought record numbers of people onto the streets against the policy change. But Olivier Gantois, the head of the French Association of Petroleum Industry (UFIP), said there was little impact on consumers for now. The logo of French oil and gas company TotalEnergies is seen at TotalEnergies fuel depot in Mardyck, near Dunkerque, as France faces the sixth nationwide day of strike and protests against French government's pension reform plan, France, March 7, 2023. REUTERS/Pascal RossignolThe four French LNG terminals and all of the gas storage facilities also remained blocked, FNME-CGT representative Fabrice Coudour said. The next nationwide day of strikes and protests is set for Saturday.

☆ Unions seek to bring France to a halt to block pension reform
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-07 | by ( Ingrid Melander | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

[1/2] Suburban trains are seen at the Saint-Lazare train station in Paris on the eve of the sixth nationwide day of strike and protests against the pension reform in France with heavy disruption on French SNCF railway and the Paris transport RATP networks, France, March 6, 2023. "Together, on March 7th, let's put France to a halt! "People massively reject this reform," CFDT union leader Laurent Berger told France Inter radio. "The future of our pension system is at stake," Prime Minister Elisabeth Borne told France 5 TV on Monday. "We are moving up a gear," the head of CGT union, Philippe Martinez, told weekly JDD.

[1/5] Destroyed carriages are seen on the site of a crash, where two trains collided, near the city of Larissa, Greece, March 3, 2023. Police said 31 bodies have now been identified - almost all from DNA tests as the crash was so violent. Not long before the crash, his son had told him he would be late and would call. In school yards in Athens, students used their bags to write the words "Call me when you get there," a phrase that has become one of the protest slogans. Work continued at the crash site, where rescue staff used cranes to lift some carriages thrown off the tracks.

Summary At least 46 killed in Greece's worst train disasterGovernment promises to fix ailing rail systemRailway workers walk off job in safety standards protestLARISSA, Greece, March 2 (Reuters) - The death toll from Greece's deadliest train crash was set to rise even higher, with 46 confirmed dead but ten people still missing, authorities said on Thursday. As many in Greece demanded answers, rescuers continued to comb through charred and buckled rail carriages to try and find more victims. [1/5] Rescuers operate on the site of a crash, where two trains collided, near the city of Larissa, Greece, March 2, 2023. INVESTIGATIONThe station master of Larissa train station was arrested on Wednesday and appeared before a local magistrate on Thursday. The Italian operation has responsibility for passenger and freight, and the Greek state-controlled OSE for infrastructure.

The collision occurred as the passenger train, heading to the northern Greek city of Thessaloniki from the capital Athens, emerged from a tunnel near the central town of Larissa. Our thoughts today are with the relatives of the victims," Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis said at the site of the crash, looking shattered. [1/15] The site of a crash, where two trains collided, is seen near the city of Larissa, Greece, March 1, 2023. REUTERS/Giannis Floulis 1 2 3 4 5'MUM, I'M HURT'The passenger train was carrying 342 travellers and 10 crew, while two crew were on the cargo train, according to Hellenic Train data. Greece's ageing railway system is in need of modernising, with many trains travelling on single tracks and signalling and automatic control systems still to be installed in many areas.

☆ French federation president Le Graet resigns - source
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-28 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: 1 min

PARIS, Feb 28 (Reuters) - Noel Le Graet, the embattled president of France's soccer federation, has resigned, a source with direct knowledge of the matter told Reuters on Tuesday. Le Graet, head of the FFF since 2011, had taken a step back amid a legal investigation into alleged sexual and moral harassment and a damning audit commissioned by the sports ministry. Earlier this month, the audit concluded that the 81-year-old Le Graet no longer had "the necessary legitimacy" to administer and represent the sport in France and "highlighted the inappropriate behaviour of Mr Le Graet towards women". Le Graet has denied any wrongdoing. Reporting by Julien Pretot, writing by Dominique Vidalon, editing by Ingrid Melander and Hugh LawsonOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ Financial crime watchdog FATF suspends Russia's membership over Ukraine war
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-24 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

PARIS, Feb 24 (Reuters) - Global financial crime watchdog Financial Action Task Force (FATF) on Friday suspended Russia's membership, saying Moscow's war in Ukraine violated the organisation's principles. "The Russian Federation's actions unacceptably run counter to the FATF core principles aiming to promote security, safety, and the integrity of the global financial system", the Paris-based group said in a statement. "The Russian Federation remains accountable for its obligation to implement the FATF Standards. The Russian Federation must continue to meet its financial obligations," the FATF said. The FATF is an inter-governmental organisation that underpins the fight against money laundering and terrorism financing by setting global standards and checking if countries respect them.

☆ Financial crime watchdog adds South Africa, Nigeria to 'grey list'
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-24 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

PARIS/JOHANNESBURG, Feb 24 (Reuters) - International financial crime watchdog the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) said on Friday it was adding South Africa and Nigeria to its so-called "grey list" of countries under special scrutiny to implement standards to prevent money laundering and terrorism financing. Being added to the grey list is a reputational setback for the South African government, which has been trying to address shortcomings identified by the FATF. Analysts say it could also mean South African clients at international financial institutions will be subject to enhanced due diligence checks. It could also complicate South African attempts to access funding and support from multilateral development institutions and official lenders. The watchdog said it places a country on its "grey list" under increased monitoring when the country has "committed to resolve swiftly the identified strategic deficiencies within agreed timeframe."

☆ Schoolteacher stabbed to death by pupil in southwest France
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-22 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: 1 min

PARIS, Feb 22 (Reuters) - A teacher was stabbed to death by a 16-year-old pupil on Wednesday at a Roman Catholic high school in the town of Saint-Jean-de-Luz in southwestern France, local officials said. Pupils fled in panic after the stabbing, local newspaper Sud Ouest said. The Spanish-language teacher, a woman, was 50 years old, Sud Ouest said. Police arrested the pupil, who told another teacher he was possessed and heard voices that instructed him to attack the teacher, according to local media including BFM TV. Reporting by Layli Foroudi; writing by Sudip Kar-Gupta and Ingrid Melander; editing by Frank Jack Daniel and Mark HeinrichOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ Renault swings back to losses on Russia exit, offers dividend
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-16 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

The group share of net income saw a 338 million euro loss, sharply down from an 888 million euro profit in 2021 but broadly in line with an analyst consensus provided by the company that saw a 310 million euro loss. It said a dividend of 0.25 euros per share will be proposed to the vote of the annual general meeting on May 11. Renault sold its majority stake in Avtovaz (AVAZI_p.MM) to the Russian state for reportedly just one rouble last year, but with a six-year option to buy it back. Under a deal announced earlier this month, Renault, will cut its stake in Nissan to 15% from 43% now, in a reboot of their long and sometimes contentious alliance. The agreement, which came after months of tense talks, will also see Nissan buy a stake of up to 15% in Renault's electric vehicle unit Ampere.

The combined death toll in Turkey and Syria has climbed to more than 41,000, and millions are in need of humanitarian aid, with many survivors having been left homeless in near-freezing winter temperatures. It asked Syrian President Bashar al-Assad to open more border crossing points with Turkey to allow aid to get through. "I shouted, shouted and shouted. Civil war hostilities have obstructed at least two attempts to send aid to the northwest from elsewhere in Syria, but an aid convoy reached the area overnight. "The children and I, by some miracle, we ended up in this small space that I had left empty."

The reported group net income for the three months ending in December came at 1.16 billion euros ($1.24 billion), beating the analyst consensus of 834 million euros provided by Visible Alpha. SocGen's quarterly net income was however 35% lower than the same period a year ago, as the bank's hiked provisions for failing loans, which increased by close to fivehold to 413 millions in an uncertain economic environment. Group revenues were up by 4% to 6.89 billion euros in the fourth quarter, also beating the Visible Alpha consensus. Like its bigger French rival BNP Paribas(BNPP.PA), SocGen is enjoying higher revenues from debt and trading in volatile markets. It plans a 440 million-euro share buyback in 2023, on top of a cash dividend of 1.70 euro per share.

Global markets revenue jumped by about 24% in October-December, the euro zone's biggest bank said on Tuesday, fuelled by a 45% leap in revenue from trading in commodity derivatives, rates, foreign exchange and emerging markets. BNP's 45% sales growth in FICC trading (fixed income, commodities, currencies) compared with 25% growth at peers, analysts at Barclays said. Shares in BNP Paribas (BNPP.PA) were up as much as 4% by 1432 GMT on Tuesday, outperforming the euro zone bank index (.SX7E) and valuing the group at more than 78 billion euros ($83 billion). "These are upward revisions that are quite significant and not so frequent," Bonnafe told reporters in a call. BNP Paribas' net income fell by 6.7% to 2.15 billion euros.

RAISED TARGETSBNP's solvency ratio has notably benefited from the $16.3 billion sale of the group's U.S. retail business Bank of the West. The transaction, closed on Feb. 1, will fund the bulk of the share buyback, that will be carried out in two tranches. Recent central bank rate hikes are set to bolster earnings from loans, especially if the spectre of a recession on the continent recedes. "We are setting ambitious financial targets and pursuing our technological advances," Chief Executive Jean-Laurent Bonnafé said. ($1 = 0.9326 euros)Writing by Mathieu Rosemain; Editing by Ingrid Melander, Kirsten DonovanOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

"Major economies are rightly stepping up investment in net zero industries," von der Leyen told a news conference. And we want to be an important part of this net-zero industry that we need globally," von der Leyen said. RESISTANCEThe European Commission is hoping member states will back its plan at a Feb.9-10 summit but it faces a hot debate. Solar sector industry group SolarPower Europe said it was concerned by what it called a "lack of focus" on specific technologies in the EU plan. The bloc is heavily reliant on China for rare earths and lithium, which are vital materials for the green transition.

The plan is partly a response to multi-billion-dollar support programmes of China and the United States, including the latter's Inflation Reduction Act. Many EU leaders are concerned that the local content requirements of its $369 billion of green subsidies will encourage companies to relocate, making the United States a leader in green tech at Europe's expense. RESISTANCEThe European Commission is hoping member states will back its plan at a Feb.9-10 summit but huge chunks are likely to be hotly debated among member states. There is also clear opposition from some EU members to previous suggestions that the plan could entail further joint borrowing. The bloc is heavily reliant on China for rare earths and lithium, which are vital materials for the green transition.

☆ France braces for second nationwide strike against pension reform
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-31 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

"This reform is unfair and brutal," Luc Farre, the secretary general of the civil servants' UNSA union told Reuters. "Moving (the pension age) to 64 is going backwards, socially." Opinion polls show a majority of French oppose the reform, but President Emmanuel Macron and his government intend to stand their ground. The reform is "vital," Macron said on Monday during a visit to the Netherlands, adding that it would allow the pension system to keep working. Borne said the government was looking at the impact of the reform on the additional pension rights women normally get for having children.

☆ Analysis: Renault cedes power at Nissan for uncertain benefits
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-30 | by ( Gilles Guillaume | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +5 min

[1/2] The Nissan logo is seen on a car wheel at Nissan Gallery in Yokohama, Japan November 29, 2021. REUTERS/Androniki ChristodoulouPARIS, Jan 30 (Reuters) - Renault and Nissan hailed a new deal announced on Monday as a major step in reviving their two decade alliance. The deal, months in the making and still subject to board approvals, will see Renault (RENA.PA) reduce its stake in Nissan to 15% from around 43%. The deal sees Nissan commit to invest in Renault's flagship Ampere electric vehicle unit, which was the French group's key goal. "It is interesting for Renault to see Nissan enter Ampere, if only for financing projects.

☆ Luxury group LVMH's sales defy downturn as shoppers splurge
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-26 | by ( Mimosa Spencer | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

REUTERS/Marco BelloPARIS, Jan 26 (Reuters) - Luxury goods group LVMH's (LVMH.PA) sales rose 9% in the fourth quarter as shoppers in Europe and the United States splurged over the crucial holiday season, helping partly to offset COVID disruptions in China. Sales at the world's biggest luxury group reached 22.7 billion euros ($24.65 billion) in the final three months of the year, with the 9% increase on an organic basis a touch above analyst expectations for 7% growth, based on a consensus cited by UBS. LVMH has gained market share every year since 2019, its boss Bernard Arnault, the world's richest man, said. The group proposed a dividend of 12 euros per share, up from 10 euros a year ago. LVMH's shares have hit new highs this month, giving the luxury goods group a market capitalisation of 400 billion euros for the first time and cementing its lead as Europe's most valuable company.

[1/6] French energy workers on strike gather with dockers near tyres set on fire as they protest against French government's pension reform plan, in the port of Saint-Nazaire, France, January 26, 2023. An Elabe poll for BFM showed 72% of the French are against the pension reform. "Oil workers are against this (pension) reform but they don't want to be on the front line," said a CGT union representative for Exxonmobil. A spokesperson for Esso, whose two French refinery sites are run by ExxonMobil (XOM.N), said only truck loading operations were suspended at Fos, with everything else operating normally. A union representative added that production at the Port Jerome site was slightly impacted.

☆ EU says it cannot brand Iran's Guards as terror group before court ruling
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-23 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

BRUSSELS, Jan 23 (Reuters) - The European Union cannot list Iran's Revolutionary Guards as a terrorist entity until an EU court has determined that they are, the European Union's foreign policy chief said on Monday. The European Parliament has called on the EU to list the Revolutionary Guards as a terrorist entity, blaming it for the repression of domestic protests and the supply of drones to Russia. "It is something that cannot be decided without a court, a court decision first. He said the court of an EU member had to issue a concrete legal condemnation before the EU itself could act. The Iranian regime, the Revolutionary Guards terrorise their own population day after day," Baerbock said.

☆ EU foreign policy chief hopes bloc agrees next tranche of military aid to Ukraine
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-23 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

BRUSSELS, Jan 23 (Reuters) - The European Union's foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said he hopes member states will approve another 500 million euro ($545.00 million) tranche in military aid for Ukraine during a foreign ministers' meeting on Monday. The ministers will also discuss using Russian assets frozen in Europe under sanctions - including 300 billion euros ($327 bln) worth of the Russian central bank reserves - and using the money to help rebuild Ukraine from the war. The foreign ministers are due to add more individuals to its Iran sanctions list over human rights abuses. Borrell said, however, that the bloc could not list Iran's Revolutionary Guards as a terrorist entity until an EU court has determined that they are. ($1 = 0.9174 euros)Writting by Tassilo Hummel, Gbariela Baczynska, Ingrid Melander, Bart Meijer, Philip BlenkinsopOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

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