The world's second-most wealthy man, French tycoon Bernard Arnault, founder of the LVMH luxury goods empire, has sold his company’s Bombardier Global 7500, currently the biggest and longest-range business aircraft, because his movements were being broadcast on Twitter accounts aimed at shaming him over its carbon emissions.
A union-led, nationwide day of strike action and street protests on Tuesday to push demands for better pay in face of rampant inflation drew a turnout of around 300,000 according to organisers - almost 120,000 according to the interior ministry -, including transport workers, teachers and postal staff, as developing social unrest over the cost-of-living crisis proves to be the first major challenge for Emmanuel Macron's second term in office.
Leading unions have called for strikes on Tuesday in their biggest challenge yet to President Emmanuel Macron since he won a new presidential term in May.
Six people were taken into custody on Saturday, following the initial arrests of four, after the body of a 12-year-old girl was found inside a trunk left on a pavement in front of the Paris apartment block where her parents are the resident caretakers.
As strikes over pay demands set against rising inflation continue to block several French oil refineries, and a union call for a one-day general strike on Tuesday ups tensions in a first and burgeoning social crisis for Emmanuel Macron’s second term as president, the cost of living squeeze has also prompted industrial action in other European countries.
A once massive series of acquisitions of prestigious French vineyards by wealthy Chinese investors has largely dried up and become sold up after Beijing's disapproval of flashy spending and its clampdown on capital outflows, but also because of the effects of the Covid pandemic and culture clashes with French workers.
