Former French finance minister Christine Lagarde is on the front pages after a court ordered an investigation into possible misconduct. The newly-appointed head of the IMF approved a settlement to a businessman friend of President Nicolas Sarkozy in 2008. Also in the French press: the crackdown in Syria, and bikini-clad pro-Medvedev "stripteaseuses". That's the focus for this Friday, 5th August 2011.
German sport equipment Adidas registered a 93 percent drop in second quarter profit to 9 million euros, with net profit down to 13 million euros for the first half of 2009. The results highlight a retail downturn associated with the global crisis.
German sport equipment Adidas registered a 97 percent drop in net profit in the first quarter. Adidas also announced a major restructuring of its operations, including the elimination of regional headquarters in Europe and Asia.
Tyre maker Michelin, oil firm Total and sports firm Adidas are suspected of evading French taxes via accounts in the Alpine principality of Liechtenstein, French prosecutors said on Tuesday.
Adidas 
