The French plan to rescue the financial industry do not disrupt competition, says EU Competition Commissioner Neelie Kroes .

The European Commission on Thursday cleared French and Dutch plans to preserve their lenders from the global credit squeeze.

Both were judged to be in line with EU rules on community aid and with guidelines reported by the European Union’s executive arm on 13 October.

These say that any rescue package should be limited in time and range and must not discriminate against foreign-based banks operating in that country.

By turning a long line of mirrors, the first solar thermal plant in nearly twenty years was launched last week in Bakersfield, California. Unlike solar photovoltaic systems that convert sunlight into electricity, this power system will focus sunlight on tubes that contains water. The light heats the water, creating steam that is used to power turbines.

At full capacity, Kimberlina will generate 5 megawatts of power, enough for about 3,500 homes in Central California. Although this is a small amount of energy compared with other utility scale power plants, this plant will serve as a gateway for a much larger solar plant.

Pacific Gas and Electric (PG&E) and Ausra, the manufacturer of the solar panels announced a purchase agreement in November, 2007 for a solar power plant of 177 megawatts. Once completed, the Carrizo Plains solar plant in Central California will generate enough power for 120,000 homes.

Solar technology is especially well suited for the American Southwest where huge amounts of sunshine make this region rich with solar energy potential. Air conditioners are accountable for a large amount of the electric load and the highest electric demand corresponds with solar radiation.

Ausra is well known for their claim that the total US electricity load (day and night) could be generated in an area that is 92 miles by 92 miles. This is made possible by steam storage, consequently allowing solar plants to operate after the sun has set.

Beaujolais Nouveau 2008 will be launched on the 20 November 2008, at one minute after midnight, following the tradition of launching on the 3rd Thursday of November.

Now at the end of the harvest, Beaujolais 2008 is starting to give us an idea of how it will develop.

Though the aromas and flavours of the twelve appellations from the wine making region between Lyon and Mâcon still require a few weeks before we can give precise terms to describe them, there are already several telling pointers:

What is a French Property Survey and do I need one?

The English type of property survey is almost unknown in France. There is not even a word for Surveyor; the nearest being ‘Expert de Batiment’ or ‘Maitre d’Oeuvre’.

There is a legal requirement for a French vendor of a property to provide the purchaser and the Notaire with a report identifying the presence of asbestos in the property, the presence of lead in paint and, in the south of the country, the presence of termites (this last point is generally extended to other parts of the country to include all parasites).  The report will also comment on energy consumption in the house.

It is expected that the scope of the report will be extended in the future to include septic tanks and electrical safety.

Specialist businesses, who have the necessary equipment to perform the required tests, provide these Reports (written in French).  These Companies do not provide structural surveys, they are not looking at the general structural stability of the building, nor at any of the other services such as water, gas or electricity.

The following should be considered if you wish to register a car in France.

You will also need a degree of patience and good humour (as with most things bureaucratic in France).

Following directives from Brussels, insurance companies will no longer insure cars with foreign registration plates and it is illegal to keep a foreign registered car in France for more than 6 months without changing to French  registration, i.e. obtaining a Carte Gris.  There will no doubt be a rush to register, (Immatriculation), cars by many expats who have been doing this for years.

Mariam Jo’Burg RTL2 Pop/Rock Tour 2007 (n°1 à Belfort)

Mariam Jo’burg comes from South Africa where her family still lives.  South Africa is where she started composing many of her songs on the guitar. After a first attempt at university in RSA she set off to France and landed in Besancon (north east).  Here she met Niels (the drummer).  They started an acoustic version of her songs and did some small concerts.

They were joined by great friends and great musicians Regis (piano), Manu (bass), Juan (electric guitar).

The group is currently recording a new album at “le pavillon”(studio) in Besancon.

Driving in France is well regulated, as with most countries.  Some of the most frequently broken and, therefore, most often prosecuted rules are below.  This is not an exhaustive list, but driver beware… if you cannot pay the “on-the-spot” fine, you may find your personal “tour de France” ends in jail.

Observe driving speed limits

Fines for speeding are DRACONIAN. From “on-the-spot” fines of €135 to as high as €1,500 (the higher fines include attending a court).  If you don’t have the cash on you to pay, the gendarme will escort you to the nearest ATM – or jail.

Built-up areas 50kph (31mph). The town or village name post starts the limit – the bar through name is the de-restriction sign.

Ordinary roads 90kph (56mph).  If the road surface is wet the speed limit is 80kph (50mph).

Toll-free autoroutes and dual carriageways 110kph (68mph); if wet l00kph (62mph).

Other autoroutes l30kph (81mph); if wet 110kph (68mph).

On autoroutes in foggy conditions, when visibility is less than 50m, the speed limit is 50kph (31mph).

DO NOT drink and drive

The alcohol limit is lower in France than Britain: 50mg per 100ml of blood… in reality a miniscule amount of alcohol. Fines can be as high as €4,500… so just don’t drink and drive.

10 VITAL RULES TO REMEMBER

Lending criteria in France are far more complex and restrictive than in the UK and the whole process of getting a French Mortgage can take quite a lot longer than most people expect.

French Mortgage lenders expect clients to put down a deposit of at least 20 per cent and to have a reliable income stream. If a client is able to put down a deposit of 40 to 50 per cent, other aspects of the loan may be offered on more favourable terms.

Lenders stipulate that a client’s debts and liabilities must not exceed around 35% of income. French lenders will ask for details of other mortgages as well as current account statements, to ensure there are no other debts repayments that may have been overlooked. Some French banks will take into consideration income from buy to let houses and other non salary income, all of which can help when presenting a loan request to the bank.

As in the UK, lenders do not like a loan to go beyond a client’s 80th birthday. It is better, though, if the loan will be repaid by age 65 for the simple reason that French mortgage lenders insist upon life cover being effected, generally via their own insurer.  If life assurance cover starts after a 65th birthday, costs rise considerably.

This article has been written to give you a general step-by-step overview of the French property buying process.  Please use the references and links contained in this article to find more information about stages of the process.

The French property buying process is fairly straightforward and well regulated.  Each year many thousands of foreign buyers purchase in France without problems or complications. As with any property purchase there can be problems, but the majority of them are encountered because buyers have not understood properly what they need to do in advance and how the process works, especially if they don’t speak French. This guide is here to give you independent advice.

The most important issue to be aware of is that the sale becomes binding much earlier in the process than in the UK. Therefore providing you allow enough time for viewing, one can effectively secure a property you have seen on your visit and return to your home country knowing that no-one else can buy it.

Where to buy

World No. 4 Andy Murray (pictured) claimed his second successive ATP Masters Series shield by halting marathon man Gilles Simon 6-4, 7-6(6) in the final of the Mutua Madrilena Masters Madrid on Sunday.

The Scot was competing in his third final in four events, having captured his first ATP Masters Series crown at Cincinnati (d. Djokovic) and reached his maiden Grand Slam final at the US Open (d. Nadal; l. to Federer). He is already assured of his place at Tennis Masters Cup Shanghai for the first time, currently No. 4 in the ATP 2008 Race.

This week has also seen Simon build a strong case for his place at the season-ending finale. The 23-year-old Nice native came into Madrid at No. 12 in ATP 2008 Race. He will now move to No. 9 in the ATP 2008 Race, within six points of No. 8 Juan Martin del Potro, and become the No. 1 Frenchman.

Madrid Photo Gallery

Dunblane native Murray becomes the first British player to win two ATP Masters Series titles, as Tim Henman (2003 Paris) and Greg Rusedski (1998 Paris) both won one each. The right-hander is also the first player to win back-to-back titles at ATP Masters Series Cincinnati and Madrid (since 2002).

Murray now joins an exclusive list of players to have won at least two ATP Masters Series titles in a season over the past five years:

2008 — Rafael Nadal 3, Novak Djokovic 2,
2007 — Rafael Nadal 3, Novak Djokovic 2, Roger Federer 2, David Nalbandian 2
2006 — Roger Federer 4, Rafael Nadal 2
2005 — Roger Federer 4, Rafael Nadal 4
2004 — Roger Federer 3, Marat Safin 2

It is the Scot’s seventh overall ATP title and fourth of the season. Murray, who also triumphed at Doha (d. Wawrinka), Marseille (d. Ancic) and Cincinnati, becomes just the third player this season together with Juan Martin del Potro (4) and Rafael Nadal (8) to win four ATP titles. He is the first British player to win four titles in a season, eclipsing Mark Cox who captured three in 1975.