France's troubled energy sector suffered another setback on Thursday as a 24-hour strike reduced the country's nuclear and hydroelectric output.
Electricity workers went on strike on a day of protest called by trade unions demanding higher pay and opposing President Emmanuel Macron's plans to raise the pension age.
Although some unions sat out the nationwide strike, it was potent enough to cut nuclear power generation by 3.5 gigawatts and hydropower output by 470 megawatts.
More than half of France's oil refining capacity is offline due to strikes, Reuters reported, after the walkouts hit TotalEnergies refineries for a third day.
It comes against the background of corrosion problems and closures for maintenance that have plagued France's usually prolific fleet of 56 nuclear plants.
French estimates suggest output will remain disappointing into January and February, further squeezing Europe's energy supplies at a time when gas is at a premium.
The problems have made France a net electricity importer from Germany for the first time in decades, potentially forcing Berlin to postpone its own nuclear switch-off to generate enough power.
The strike on Thursday was followed by about one in 10 teachers walking out, the Education Ministry said, leading to school closures in some areas. One in three railway workers also stopped work, the CGT union said.
Despite the strikes, Mr Macron's government indicated on Thursday it would press ahead with the pension reforms that were a central talking point in his re-election campaign this year.
Talks with political leaders and unions will start as early as next week and ministers hope to put the pension reforms to a vote in early 2023, Labour Minister Olivier Dussopt told LCI television.
Mr Macron's centrist party lost its majority in the French Parliament in June after left-wing parties who oppose the increase in the pension age banded together to weaken the president.
"All the unions in France are against working up to 64 or 65, because it's stupid," the head of the CGT union, Philippe Martinez, told France 2 television.
2024%20Dubai%20Marathon%20Results
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Episode list:
Ep1: A recovery like no other- the unevenness of the economic recovery
Ep2: PCR and jobs - the future of work - new trends and challenges
Ep3: The recovery and global trade disruptions - globalisation post-pandemic
Ep4: Inflation- services and goods - debt risks
Ep5: Travel and tourism
Tailors and retailers miss out on back-to-school rush
Tailors and retailers across the city said it was an ominous start to what is usually a busy season for sales.
With many parents opting to continue home learning for their children, the usual rush to buy school uniforms was muted this year.
“So far we have taken about 70 to 80 orders for items like shirts and trousers,” said Vikram Attrai, manager at Stallion Bespoke Tailors in Dubai.
“Last year in the same period we had about 200 orders and lots of demand.
“We custom fit uniform pieces and use materials such as cotton, wool and cashmere.
“Depending on size, a white shirt with logo is priced at about Dh100 to Dh150 and shorts, trousers, skirts and dresses cost between Dh150 to Dh250 a piece.”
A spokesman for Threads, a uniform shop based in Times Square Centre Dubai, said customer footfall had slowed down dramatically over the past few months.
“Now parents have the option to keep children doing online learning they don’t need uniforms so it has quietened down.”
Scream%20VI
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SCORES
Multiply Titans 81-2 in 12.1 overs
(Tony de Zorzi, 34)
bt Auckland Aces 80 all out in 16 overs
(Shawn von Borg 4-15, Alfred Mothoa 2-11, Tshepo Moreki 2-16).
THE BIG THREE
NOVAK DJOKOVIC
19 grand slam singles titles
Wimbledon: 5 (2011, 14, 15, 18, 19)
French Open: 2 (2016, 21)
US Open: 3 (2011, 15, 18)
Australian Open: 9 (2008, 11, 12, 13, 15, 16, 19, 20, 21)
Prize money: $150m
ROGER FEDERER
20 grand slam singles titles
Wimbledon: 8 (2003, 04, 05, 06, 07, 09, 12, 17)
French Open: 1 (2009)
US Open: 5 (2004, 05, 06, 07, 08)
Australian Open: 6 (2004, 06, 07, 10, 17, 18)
Prize money: $130m
RAFAEL NADAL
20 grand slam singles titles
Wimbledon: 2 (2008, 10)
French Open: 13 (2005, 06, 07, 08, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 17, 18, 19, 20)
US Open: 4 (2010, 13, 17, 19)
Australian Open: 1 (2009)
Prize money: $125m
CRICKET%20WORLD%20CUP%20LEAGUE%202
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The candidates
Dr Ayham Ammora, scientist and business executive
Ali Azeem, business leader
Tony Booth, professor of education
Lord Browne, former BP chief executive
Dr Mohamed El-Erian, economist
Professor Wyn Evans, astrophysicist
Dr Mark Mann, scientist
Gina MIller, anti-Brexit campaigner
Lord Smith, former Cabinet minister
Sandi Toksvig, broadcaster
