Paris - French shares were mixed in early Thursday trading in the wake of overnight losses on Wall Street and Asian markets.

Paris - Nicolas Sarkozy believes he is the only leader capable of steering Europe through the current economic crisis and wants to become president of the euro-zone countries once his term as EU head expires at the end of the year, the daily Le Monde reported on Wednesday.

According to the newspaper, several advisors to the French president have confirmed this strategy.

Sarkozy's ambition is based on his firm conviction that the crisis in Georgia and the financial crisis both demonstrated that Europe was in need of a strong leader.

Paris - Following big losses on Asian markets overnight and a weak performance on Wall Street, French shares closed sharply lower on Wednesday.

The Paris Bourse's benchmark CAC 40 ended the session down 5.1 per cent, to 3,298.18, with only one of its 40 listed stocks gaining ground.

Drinks giant Pernod Ricard led the declining issues, giving up 13.62 per cent, to 42.26 euros.

Industrials were the hardest-hit sector, with transport manufacturer Alstom losing 12.84 per cent, to 38.60 euros, and steel-makers ArcelorMittal and Vallourec off by 10.06 and 9.81 per cent to, respectively, 19.26 euros and 79.45 euros.

Paris - Following big losses on Asian markets overnight and a weak opening on Wall Street, French shares were sharply lower on Wednesday.

In mid-afternoon trading, the Paris Bourse's benchmark CAC 40 was down 3.96 per cent, to 3,337.87, with only two of its 40 listed stocks gaining ground.

Industrials were the hardest-hit, with steel-makers Vallourec and ArcelorMittal off by 9.5 and 7.4 per cent, respectively, and transport manufacturer Alstom losing 9.3 per cent.

Paris - Followin

Paris - Renault and Nissan are planning to mass produce electric-drive cars for the French market by 2011 with the car maker signing a memorandum of understanding with the electricity producer EDF to develop supporting battery recharging infra-structure.

Until January 2010, the partners will study all the necessary technical and other requirements to supply "high-performance and affordable electric vehicles" by 2011, Renault CEO Carlos Ghosn announced.