Parts Of France's Second Largest City Is Now Controlled By The Drug Gangs

Marseille, France, Hit By Rising Drug-Related Violence -- Washington Post

The gritty Mediterranean port, France’s second-largest city, was appointed the “cultural capital of Europe,” a rotating European Union honor. City fathers launched beautification projects, created new tourism attractions and invited people from around the world to visit. A splendid stone esplanade was laid around the Old Port, peppered with novel sculpture, and a high-tech historical museum went up next to City Hall.

But despite the cultural renaissance — not to mention Marseille’s famed fish soup — all people here are talking about is murder and drug trafficking. In the past two weeks, five killings have been recorded that police say are linked to gang wars for control of hashish sales in the city’s infamous high-rise slums.

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My Comment: I guess this explains why this controversial book .... claiming that France is now becoming a "savage" nation with thousands of thefts, rapes and attacks going unreported daily .... is a national best seller.

What A Nuclear Accident May Cost

World Nuclear Association

Major Nuclear Accident Would Cost France $580 Billion: Study -- Reuters

(Reuters) - A nuclear accident similar to the one at Japan's Fukushima reactor would cost France about 430 billion euros ($580 billion), or 20 percent of its economic output, French nuclear safety institute IRSN said in a study on the possible financial impact of a nuclear crisis.

A major disaster damaging one of France's 58 nuclear reactors and contaminating the environment with radioactive material would displace an estimated 100,000 people, destroy crops and create massive power outages, the study said.

"A major accident would have terrible consequences, but we would have to deal with them because the country wouldn't be annihilated, so we have to talk about it, however difficult it is," Jacques Repussard, the head of the public-funded IRSN, said on Wednesday at a presentation at the Cadarache nuclear research centre in southeastern France.

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My Comment: The Chernobyl disaster left a legacy that will be present in that part of the Ukraine for centuries .... and the cost is unimaginable. If such a disaster should strike France .... ditto there. Now just imagine what a nuclear war would cost.

France Beefs-Up Domestic After Mali And Somalia Operations

France Tightens Domestic Security After Mali Operation -- Voice of America

France has increased its domestic security, due to concern about possible threats following the launch of French military action against al-Qaida linked rebels in Mali.

In an interview with the French television network BHM, French Interior Minister Manuel Valls said the threat from terrorists angry over the intervention is not new, but is "serious" and "permanent."Thnak

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Update: France steps up security in Paris after operation in Mali -- FOX News/AP

My Comment: France's internal security and police forces are very effective .... but these precautions are necessary in view of the many 'soft targets' and historical landmarks that exist in France.

There Is A New Rebellion In France

Nov. 13, 2012: French President Francois Hollande addresses reporters during a press conference held at the Elysee Palace in Paris. (AP/POOL Reuters)

France: Rebellion of the CEOs -- FOX News

You know a European country is in trouble when its business leaders complain about government spending and taxes. You know it’s seriously in trouble when it happens in France, whose business elites are more left-wing than the left.

Nearly 100 French CEOs, among them the heads of Accor, the hotel chain, Air France, Carrefour, L´Oréal, Peugot, Siemens, SociétéGénerale and Veolia, the giant waste and water utility, are urging socialist President Francois Hollande to reduce government spending by 60 billion euros (about $76 billion) over the next five years, and reduce payroll taxes by 30 billion euros over the next two years. The cost of government, they say, has reached “the limits of what is bearable.”

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My Comment: These concerns are genuine, especially when one neighboring country (Spain) finds itself in the depth of a severe depression from following the same policies that the French government wants to implement now. Not surprisingly .... his popularity is in the toilet, but fortunately for Hollande, the next French Presidential election is years from now.

The Same-Old Same-Old In France

Photo: French President Francois Hollande.

New Style, New Slogans, No New Policies: Beleaguered Hollande Tries To Start Again -- The Independent

President François Hollande attempted to re-launch his struggling presidency last night by promising to re-build a strong France for a "new generation" and a "new world".

In a press conference seen as a critical opportunity to set a new tone and a new direction after a much-criticised first six months in office, Mr Hollande sought to abandon his image as a bumbling and laid-back "President Normal" and tried to define himself instead as a hands-on "President Responsible".

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My Comment: I live in the French province of Quebec (Canada), and in the past few months we have become a magnet for French citizens who are eager to immigrate and live here. My business partner has just signed up with a group of IT people who are .... not surprisingly .... French citizens who immigrated here over the summer to start a new IT business. When I first met them I asked them .... like I do everyone else .... on why did they decide to come here. Their answers .... and it is always the same for everyone else .... is that they did not want to move, but there is no longer any opportunity and freedom to pursue one's dreams and goals from places like France anymore.

Being one who left Russia years ago when the borders opened up .... I understand this sentiment. When you lose your entrepreneurs and risk takers you are just one step away from poverty and a society that becomes dependent on government for your livelihood. If my new French friends are right .... France is going down that road.

Is France Going In The Right Direction?

French President Francois Hollande (Reuters)

French Business Erupts In Fury Against "Disastrous" François Hollande -- The Telegraph

France is sliding into a grave economic crisis and risks a full-blown “hurricane” as investors flee rocketing tax rates, the country’s business federation has warned.

“The situation is very serious. Some business leaders are in a state of quasi-panic,” said Laurence Parisot, head of employers’ group MEDEF.

“The pace of bankruptcies has accelerated over the summer. We are seeing a general loss of confidence by investors. Large foreign investors are shunning France altogether. It’s becoming really dramatic.”

MEDEF, France’s equivalent of the CBI, said the threat has risen from “a storm warning to a hurricane warning”, adding that the Socialist government of François Hollande has yet to understand the “extreme gravity” of the crisis.

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My Comment: Why should French businessmen (or anyone else in France) be surprised. François Hollande is a committed Socialist who ran and promised to implement a socialist agenda. He is doing what he promised .... and yes .... what he promised will end up downsizing and/or eliminating much of France's entrepreneurial class. I have only one piece of advice to the French electorate .... in the future do not vote for a person who promises to do such things.

France Is Entering Into A Depression

'Francois Hollande proposes nothing credible to restore France’s viability within EMU, or to stop public debt spiralling beyond 90pc of GDP.' Photo: Reuters

Another Domino Falls As Hollande Pushes France Into Depression -- The Telegraph

If French President François Hollande thinks he can assuage the bond markets by dishing out tax-heavy austerity instead of genuine reform, he has been given very bad advice.

His tragically-misguided budget offers no strategic plan to reverse -- or even to stop -- thirty years of slow national decline. He offers no worthwhile measures to slim the Leviathan state, now a Nordic-sized 55pc of GDP, without Nordic labour flexibility or Nordic free markets.

He does not tell us how he will stem the slide in France’s share of eurozone exports over the last decade, down from 17pc to 13pc, or what he will do about the disastrous swing in France’s trade balance from a surplus of 2.5pc of GDP to a deficit of 2.4pc since 1999.

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My Comment: Higher debts, more taxes, more spending with borrowed money, more government coupled with policies that will essentially kill-off the entrepreneur and small business class in France .... Socialist policies from a Socialist President who believes that his policies will revive the French economy even though they have never worked in any other country in the history of mankind. What can I say .... the French voted for suicide when they elected Francois Hollande .... so why should they be surprised.

France Bans Muhammad Cartoon Protests

France Bans Muhammad Cartoon Protests -- Christian Science Monitor

The country's Interior Ministry announced it will crack down on any kind of protest against the cartoon that denigrated the Muslim prophet.

France confirmed on Friday it would allow no street protests against cartoons denigrating Islam's Prophet Muhammad that were published by a French magazine this week.

Interior Minister Manuel Valls said prefects throughout the country had orders to prohibit any protest over the issue and to crack down if the ban was challenged.

"There will be strictly no exceptions. Demonstrations will be banned and broken up," he told a news conference in the southern port city of Marseille.

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More News On France's Reaction To Mohammad Cartoon Protests

France bans protests over Prophet Mohammad cartoons -- Reuters
French embassies brace for cartoon backlash -- France 24
France faces Muslim storm over cartoons -- Euronews
France in embassy alert over Prophet Muhammad cartoons -- BBC
French Muslim leader urges calm as magazine reprints Muhammad cartoon -- National Post/Reuters

France Shuts Embassies Amid Cartoon Row

France In Embassy Alert Over Prophet Muhammad Cartoons -- BBC

Security is being increased at France's interests abroad after a French satirical magazine published obscene cartoons of the Prophet Muhammad.

French embassies, consulates, cultural centres and international French schools in some 20 countries will be closed on Friday as a precaution.

Government ministers voiced concern at the Charlie Hebdo cartoons but defended the freedom of the press.

Riot police have been deployed around the magazine's offices in Paris.

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More News On French Concerns Over The Publishing Of Ant-Mohammed Cartoons

France steps up security at embassies as magazine publishes Prophet Mohammed cartoons -- The Telegraph
Paris magazine's Muhammad cartoons prompt fears for French embassies -- The Guardian
France steps up embassy security following Muhammed cartoons -- Christian Science Monitor
France steps up security after new Prophet Mohammad cartoons are published -- Euronews
France to Shut Embassies, Schools Amid Cartoon Row -- Wall Street Journal
France shutters embassies as anti-Islam cartoon spurs fears of new backlash -- FOX News
France ramps up embassy security after magazine caricatures Prophet Muhammad amid new protests -- Washington Post/AP
French missions abroad on alert after cartoons mock Muslims -- L.A. Times
New French cartoons inflame prophet film tensions -- Bloomberg Businessweek/AP
French Magazine Runs Cartoons That Mock Muhammad -- New York Times
Cartoons in French weekly fuel Mohammad furor -- Reuters

Becoming Rich In France Will Be A Thing Of The Past

President François Hollande has proposed a 75 percent tax on income over 1 million euros. Under current tax laws, two hypothetical couples with two children each and comparable annual incomes, as expressed in euros, would have more take-home pay in New York City than in France. Under the Hollande proposal, the French couple’s take-home pay would be considerably lower.

Indigestion For ‘les Riches’ in a Plan for Higher Taxes -- New York Times

PARIS — The call to Vincent Grandil’s Paris law firm began like many others that have rolled in recently. On the line was the well-paid chief executive of one of France’s most profitable companies, and he was feeling nervous.

President François Hollande is vowing to impose a 75 percent tax on the portion of anyone’s income above a million euros ($1.24 million) a year. “Should I be preparing to leave the country?” the executive asked Mr. Grandil.

The lawyer’s counsel: Wait and see. For now, at least.

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My Comment: Realistically the real rate is even higher. Add in VAT taxes, property taxes, charges for services, etc.. if you are in France most of your income will be going to the government. I live in Quebec, Canada (this is a French province), and we are now being flooded with young French entrepreneurs who feel that they do not have a future in France. I do a lot of web work on the side, and just last week I met 3 incredibly gifted web designers who have done the websites of some of France's top companies. They immigrated with all of their skills and wealth a few months ago because they saw what was coming .... and are not sorry that they are now here.

One important note .... and one that is omitted in this New York Times article, ....is that as bad as the taxes are for the French entrepreneurial and business class, their real pet peeve is the following ..... it is their daily dealings with cumbersome regulations, paperwork, labor laws, and a bloated government bureaucracy that is always hostile to what they are doing.

Annual Bastille Day Military Parade in Paris

France's Secret Service Agents 'Forgot To Pack Their Guns'

France's President Francois Hollande (l.) arrives for a news conference on the second day of the G20 summit in Los Cabos June 19, 2012. Henry Romero/Reuters

François Hollande's Secret Service Agents 'Forgot To Pack Their Guns' -- The Telegraph

French secret service agents tasked with protecting President François Hollande "forgot to pack their guns" while on a recent trip to a climate conference in Brazil, it was reported on Wednesday.

In a highly embarrassing Inspector Clouseau-style blunder, the presidential guards from the elite GSPR unit only realised the guns were absent upon arrival at Rio de Janeiro Airport.

They usually travel with a secured briefcase containing an array of firearms. But when they sought to present the weapons to customs officials, they were nowhere to be seen.

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My Comment: I am not surprised by the firing .... but I am surprised that they decided to make this public.

French Rafale Equipped With ASMP-A Air-Launched Nuclear Missile

French Rafale 4th generation fighter jet with Air-Sol Moyenne Portée-Amélioré (ASMP-A)  French air-launched nuclear missile and MICA BVR missiles.

There's A Metaphor In Here Somewhere

Lightning Strikes French Leader Hollande's Plane On Way To Berlin -- L.A. Times

PARIS -- There's a metaphor in here somewhere: As spanking-new French President Francois Hollande headed to Germany on Tuesday for a possibly contentious meeting with German Chancellor Angela Merkel to discuss how to save the Eurozone, his plane was struck by lightning.

Less than an hour after being sworn in at the Elysee Palace in Paris, the heavens opened for an afternoon of clouds, heavy rain, hail and even snow in some parts of France.

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My Comment: This incident probably raised a few eyebrows.

France Sworns In A New President

Hollande Sworn In As French President Amid Europe's Debt Woes -- CNN

(CNN) -- François Hollande promised a new approach to tackling the financial woes plaguing Europe as he was sworn in as president of France on Tuesday.

Hollande becomes France's first Socialist president since François Mitterrand left office in 1995. He secured election victory earlier this month over the incumbent Nicolas Sarkozy, one of the most U.S.-friendly French presidents in decades.

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More News On The New French President

Francois Hollande becomes France's new president -- AP
Hollande sworn in as new French president -- Reuters
François Hollande sworn in as president in low-key ceremony -- The Guardian
François Hollande: France's new 'Monsieur le Président' -- L.A. Times
Hollande takes over French presidency -- Euronews
Francois Hollande Sworn In As French President, Calls For A New Way For Europe -- RTT
Francois Hollande's 'message of confidence' for France -- BBC
Hollande proposes ‘new pact’ for Europe in inaugural address -- Washington Post
France's Hollande says wants 'new path' in Europe -- AFP
Bland Mr Creme Caramel who always knew he'd be president -- The Telegraph

French Presidential Election -- News Roundup

Socialist Francois Hollande Wins French Presidency -- BBC

French socialist Francois Hollande has won a clear victory in the country's presidential election.

Mr Hollande - who polled just under 52% of votes in Sunday's run-off - spoke of his pride at becoming president.

Admitting defeat, centre-right incumbent Nicolas Sarkozy wished "good luck" to Mr Hollande.

Analysts say the vote has wide implications for the whole eurozone. Mr Hollande has vowed to rework a deal on government debt in member countries.

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More News On The French Presidential Election

French Presidential election: as it happened -- The Telegraph
Socialist Hollande triumphs in French presidential poll -- France 24
Hollande Ousts Sarkozy in French Presidential Election -- New York Times
French president François Hollande promises 'a new start' for Europe -- The Guardian
Hollande wins French presidency, signals revisit of austerity -- Christian Science Monitor
France gets new leftist leader, Europe a new direction -- Washington Examiner
Socialist Hollande Wins French Presidency -- Voice of America
Socialist Hollande in, Sarkozy out, as France elects a new president -- CNN
Victorious French left reclaims the Bastille -- Reuters
France elections 2012: François Hollande victory sets EU on course for turmoil -- The Telegraph
Hollande faces battle with Berlin over growth -- France 24
Francois Hollande hails French presidential victory as 'a rise against austerity' -- Sydney Morning Herald/AFP
Short honeymoon for Hollande after French election win -- Reuters
Wealthy French eye move across the Channel -- Financial Times
Wall Street Week Ahead: European elections add to selling pressure -- Reuters
Europe in turmoil as France and Greece reject austerity -- CBC
A fiercely left-wing leader to strike fear into the hearts of France's rich -- Nabila Ramdani, The Independent

France's Sarkozy Ousted In French Presidential Elections

Socialist Hollande Ousts Sarkozy As French Leader -- Reuters

(Reuters) - Socialist Francois Hollande swept to victory in France's presidential election on Sunday in a swing to the left at the heart of Europe that could start a pushback against German-led austerity.

Hollande was set to beat conservative incumbent Nicolas Sarkozy by a decisive 51.9 percent to 48.1 percent margin, the TNS-Sofres polling agency said in a projection based on a partial vote count.

The president conceded defeat within 20 minutes of the last polls closing at 8 p.m. (1800 GMT), telling supporters he had telephoned Hollande to wish him good luck.

"I bear the full responsibility for this defeat," he said.

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My Comment: Instead of austerity, France has chosen to embrace the policies that has put the Euro and the economic well-being of Europe into doubt. This is not going to be "pretty".

A full news round-up on France's Presidential election will be done later tonight.

Update: Greece's ruling parties also suffered serious setbacks in today's parliamentary elections.

My Take On Today's Presidential Election In France

French Socialists’ Joy Of Election Victory Will Be Shortlived -- Ben Brogan, The Telegraph

The winner in the divisive French presidential election between Nicolas Sarkozy and Francois Hollande faces an angry nation that can no longer duck hard choices.

Fear of the mob drives French politics, and has done since 1789. Tomorrow night the French Left will gather in their thousands at the Bastille to celebrate what they are certain will be another revolution. They will wave banners and red roses, sing the Internationale, and tear around the streets, horns blaring, to celebrate a socialist capturing the presidency for the first time in nearly 25 years.

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My Comment: I live in Canada .... more specifically in the french province of Quebec. In the past year Quebec has received a wave of young French immigrants who left France in search of work in North America. When I talk to them about what is happening in France .... their opinions have been universally the same. Unless there is a radical change in the status quo .... more specifically .... in how the French government operates and regulates the economy .... there will be little if any future opportunity for young entrepreneurs (or the young in general) in France.

As to today's France's Presidential elections ... all of them tell me the same thing .... the Socialists will win power today .... but their solutions to the crisis are exactly the same policies that put France and much of Europe into the bind and heavy debt that they now find themselves in.

French Presidential Campaign Ends. Voters Go To The Polls This Weekend

Hollande Holds Poll Lead Over Sarkozy as French Campaign Ends -- Bloomberg Businessweek

French President Nicolas Sarkozy and Socialist Francois Hollande wrap up their campaigns today with the challenger seeking to become the first candidate to oust an incumbent in three decades.

Hollande maintained a six-point edge following the campaign’s only debate, according to a poll by Ifop. The daily tracking survey before the May 6 vote showed the Socialist leading 53 percent to 47 percent, the same as before the May 2 televised encounter. The lead was 10 points after Hollande’s first-round victory on April 22.

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Update: Sarkozy's chances fade two days before French runoff -- Reuters

My Comment: With centrist Francois Bayrou, who came fifth in last month’s first round with 9 percent of the vote, announcing that he would vote for Hollande (the Socialist candidate) .... Sarkozy's prospects of another term as President have suffered a mortal setback. My prediction .... the Socialists will win the Presidency in this weekend's elections .... and the parliamentary elections slated for later this summer.

As for the Euro debt crisis .... and it's impact on us .... expect the situation to get worse.

Hollande, Sarkozy Head To French Presidential Vote Runoff

Hollande Claims Victory, Setting Up Runoff With Sarkozy For French Presidency -- CNN

Paris (CNN) -- Socialist candidate Francois Hollande declared victory Sunday in the first round of France's presidential election, setting up a showdown with incumbent Nicolas Sarkozy in May.

The proclamation, made to a crowd of supporters, is consistent with exit polls detailed on French television. Results from France's interior ministry show the same placement, albeit in a very tight contest.

With about 75% of votes counted late Sunday, Hollande had 27.9% support, followed by Sarkozy at 26.7%. Far-right candidate Marine Le Pen garnered 19.3% of this early vote, Jean-Luc Melenchon on the extreme left had 10.8% and centrist Francois Bayrou had 9.8%.

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More News On France's Presidential Election

Hollande-Sarkozy: French presidential election headed to runoff -- the Envoy
France election: Francois Hollande 'wins first round' -- BBC
Hollande, Sarkozy heading to French vote runoff -- AP
Meet Francois Hollande, France’s presidential race leader -- Globe and Mail/Reuters
Hollande and Sarkozy in Elysee duel -- Press Association
Analysts' view: Hollande tops Sarkozy in French vote -- Reuters
Summary Box: Hollande victory in French election could rattle investors, weigh on US stocks -- Washington Post/AP
French presidential election: 'A beginning not an end' -- Gavin Hewitt, BBC