Nicolas Sarkozy News

EU Presses IMF to Support Financial Transaction (Tobin) Tax

The European Union increased pressure on the International Monetary Fund on Friday to consider a global tax on financial transactions to limit the risk of another economic crisis. In a draft statement expected to be approved on the second day …

‘Fog in Channel’ – The Disconnect between England and France

The rest of that phrase, from a long ago Times headline, reads “- Continent Cut Off.” It succinctly summarizes the past, present and probably future state of relations between two of Europe’s oldest nation states – England and France. Although …

France Tries to Calm Britain’s Angst over Regulation Threats

France tried to reassure Britain on Thursday that its push for tougher financial regulation in the European Union would not undermine the City of London, saying new rules would not hurt anyone system in particular. Tensions between the two countries …

Armistice Day Commemorations in Europe Promise ‘Never Again’

The ceremonies commemorating the end of the First World War, 91 years ago today, took on a special significance this time. They are remarkably uniform throughout Europe. Each of the nations involved in that murderous conflict continues to honor those …

Obama to Push G20 Leaders to Rethink Global Economy

President Barack Obama said Sunday he would push world leaders this week for a reshaping of the global economy in response to the deepest financial crisis in decades. In Europe, officials kept up pressure for a deal to curb bankers’ …

High Seas Search Continues for Air France Plane with 228 Aboard

Search planes scoured the dark waters of the Atlantic Ocean early Tuesday, looking for the remains of an Air France jetliner that disappeared in a severe storm with 228 people on board. The Airbus A330 went missing on a flight …

European Union, China Rebuild Ties; Seek ‘New Global Order’

The European Union and China hope to relaunch their political and economic relations at a summit on Wednesday and create a “new global order” to combat the financial crisis, dwindling world trade and climate change. The last scheduled EU-China summit …

Somali Pirates Step up Attacks; Exemption Renewal for Europe’s Insurers

Pirates have stepped up their attacks on shipping in the Gulf of Aden and the Indian Ocean. In three days (April 6-8) the marine marauders, based in Somalia, seized four cargo ships and a French yacht (See IJ Web site …

French Commandos Free Yacht from Pirates, 1 Hostage Dies

Navy commandos stormed a French sailboat held by pirates off the Somali coast in an assault triggered by threats that the passengers would be executed. But one hostage was killed in the operation, demonstrating the risks of a military operation …

G20 Seals $1.1 Trillion Deal

World leaders clinched a $1.1 trillion deal on Thursday to combat the worst economic crisis since the Great Depression and said financial rules would be tightened to stop it happening again. U.S. President Barack Obama declared it a “turning point” …