INSEE has just published its first estimation of the growth rate of the French economy during the 1^st quarter. The result has been very disappointing. When the last forecasts were based on a GDP increase by 0.2% or 0.3%, production has fallen by 0.1%. It is the first diminution occurred during the last four years. It is obviously symbolic since the accuracy of the figures is not enough to talk about a real drop or even of a recession. But it constitutes a failure for the government which has considered a growth comeback as a priority ...

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The reopening of the City of Paris museum of Modern Art, after its successful restoration, allows to rediscovering the painter Raoul Dufy masterwork. A hundred of panels gathered like a puzzle and hanged up in a vast oval room is recounting Science history since Antiquity. It presents the successive discovers which will allow the introduction of electricity in the modern society. The work is used for the Universal Exhibition Pavilion which is to be held in Paris. We are in 1937. After the coming into power of the popular Front, the political situation in France is under tension. At our ...

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On January 25^th China will celebrate the Lunar New Year which, following the zodiac symbols, will be put under the “Rat” symbol. It is arising better than the “Pig” year which has ended, not because the country economic achievements have been disappointing but because the threats which were weighting on the international environment are lessening. The agreement concluded with the U.S. would be honored by both parts, at least until the American presidential elections. Instability in the Middle East should not generate a new oil crisis and a sharp rebound of oil prices, due to the glut of ...

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