Ukraine: Volodymyr Zelensky promises military victory over “terrorist” Russia

Volodymyr Zelensky went near Bakhmut, the epicenter of the front and symbol of Ukrainian resistance in the east of the country. The day after an appeal for peace was launched, he promised a military victory over “terrorist” Russia without convincing from Moscow by the Chinese head of state Xi Jinping. His statements by the Ukrainian president, who came to comfort his troops as close as possible to the fighting near Bakhmut and then in Kharkiv, a large city in the north-east, followed new deadly strikes by the Russian army. These strikes cost the lives of at least eight civilians in the Kiev region, and hit a residential building in Zaporizhzhia (central-east) with full force, killing at least one person and dozens injured people.

Agreement on Northern Ireland's post-Brexit status: A key measure approved by British MPs

British MPs approved a key measure in the agreement reached between London and Brussels for post-Brexit Northern Ireland. This approval marks a major victory for Prime Minister Rishi Sunak over some conservatives, including Boris Johnson. This vote was obtained by a very large majority of 515 votes in favor and 29 against. London intends to move forward with the implementation of this agreement called the “Windsor framework”, and signed in early March between Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and the President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen. The country is also planning to unblock the political crisis that has paralysed Northern Ireland for nearly a year, with the Unionist DUP boycotting local institutions to protest the status of the province since Brexit.

Highways: the government wants to shorten the duration of some companies' concessions “by a few years”

Economy Minister Bruno Le Maire announced that the government asked the Council of State how it would be possible to shorten “by a few years” the duration of the concessions of some motorway companies, which were longer profitable than expected. Indeed, before the Finance and Sustainable Development Committees of the National Assembly, he admitted that the profitability calculations for shareholders made when the motorways were privatized in 2006 had “not been good”. Dealer companies such as Vinci, Eiffage and Spain's Abertis were able to repay their investment at a lower cost with interest rates falling sharply, improving their profitability while toll rates continued to rise steadily in accordance with contracts concluded with the State.

9th day of interprofessional mobilization against pension reform: Paris metro and RER traffic “very disrupted” today

For the ^9th day of interprofessional mobilization against pension reform, traffic on the Paris metro and RER will be “very disrupted” this Thursday with lines partially closed and stations where trains will not stop. While the others will run at variable times during the day, with frequencies between 1 train out of 2 or 3, only the automated lines (1 and 14) will run normally, and the 4 partially automated almost normally.

IN SHORT

CGT officials who are blocking access to the Ivry-sur-Seine incineration plant have announced that the strike of Parisian garbage workers initiated on March 6 against pension reform has been extended until Monday.

The CGT announced that more than a hundred people gathered Wednesday evening in front of the TotalEnergies refinery in Normandy at the call of the CGT to oppose the requisitions of striking employees decided, according to the union, by the pre prefecture.

The government intends to exceptionally increase the mileage rate “by 5.4%”. This is a tax measure that concerns two million taxed households using their personal vehicles for business purposes.

Gaël Monfils, injured, retired on Wednesday during his first match at the Miami Masters 1000 against fellow countryman Ugo Humbert. He is a tennis player.

In an uncertain sale process, Qatar Islamic Bank (QIB) president Sheikh Jassim Bin Hamad Al Thani and British billionaire Jim Ratcliffe have submitted their second offer to buy the English club Manchester United.