DIRS.INFO The most relevant business & tech news

☆ Elon Musk to meet Macron, other leaders at France conference
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-15 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

PARIS, May 15 (Reuters) - Billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk will meet French President Emmanuel Macron and other political leaders on Monday at a business conference close to Paris, the Elysee Palace said, confirming earlier media reports. Musk, the CEO of Tesla (TSLA.O) who bought social network Twitter in a $44 billion deal last year, will meet Macron at the palace before attending lunch with Finance Minister Bruno Le Maire, the finance ministry told Reuters. Musk will also visit the sixth edition of the annual "Choose France" summit in Versailles, aimed at boosting international investment in France. Le Maire told BFM TV that the talks between the government and Musk would cover several topics, including electric cars. Asked by BFM TV if any announcement was likely, Le Maire said "all investments that are being made today are the result of months or even years of negotiations."

☆ Live updates: Russia's war in Ukraine, Zelensky meets with Macron
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-15 | by ( Rhea Mogul | Brad Lendon | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +1 min

Volodymyr Zelensky is welcomed by Emmanuel Macron upon his arrival at the Elysee presidential palace in Paris on May 14. Steve McMay/Abaca/Sipa USA/APUkrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky met with his French counterpart Emmanuel Macron at the Elysee Palace in Paris on Sunday — his latest stop on a tour of European capitals providing his country with weapons. With each visit, the defensive and offensive capabilities of Ukraine increase," Zelensky tweeted after his arrival in France. "This evening's discussion will therefore focus on the support that France continues to provide in response to Ukraine's urgent military and humanitarian needs," the statement said. It comes after he told reporters in Rome on Saturday that "the first important steps" of the military action "will be taken soon."

☆ Emmanuel Macron Courts Elon Musk Amid Duel With U.S. for Battery Supremacy
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-15 | by ( Stacy Meichtry | Sam Schechner | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

Most of Elon Musk’s wealth is tied up in shares of his companies. That means volatility in their stock and valuations can directly sway his net worth. WSJ breaks down the outlook for Musk’s businesses and where he stands among the world’s richest people. Mr. Musk—head of companies including Tesla , Twitter and SpaceX—met with Mr. Macron inside the Élysée Palace. He then attended a lunch at the Palace of Versailles, the historic home of French kings, with dozens of other foreign CEOs as part of an investment conference organized by Mr. Macron.

☆ Tesla CEO Elon Musk says he must approve all new hires in internal email
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-15 | by ( Lora Kolodny | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

SpaceX, Twitter and electric car maker Tesla CEO Elon Musk meets with France's President Emmanuel Macron (L) at the Elysee presidential palace in Paris on May 15, 2023. Tesla CEO Elon Musk sent an email to "everybody" at his electric vehicle maker on Monday, expressing concern over the company's current hiring practices. "I would like to gain a better understanding of our hiring," Musk wrote in the email. "Think carefully before sending me a request," Musk wrote in Monday's email. Here's Monday's email from Musk:To: Everybody From: Elon Musk Subj.

Michel Gaubert first crossed paths with Karl Lagerfeld when he worked at a record store on the Champs-Élysée. “All his life Karl was obsessed with music,” he recalled. All his life Karl was obsessed with music. Then one day Eric came and asked if I wanted to work with the Karl Lagerfeld brand. Karl said Diane de Beauvau-Craon [a French princess and a pal of Mr. Lagerfeld’s] would call me.

[1/2] FILE PHOTO-French President Emmanuel Macron delivers his speech during the National Conference on Disability at the Elysee Palace in Paris, France, April 26, 2023. "You talk a lot of nonsense everyday," the man told Macron, after the president, barely able to squeeze in an answer, said he should get his numbers right. Such direct confrontations, the president reckons, are essential to give people a cathartic release after weeks of anger directed at the government's pension bill and Macron himself. Before the pension reform protests, the government managed to pass legislation on issues such as nuclear energy and renewables with the help of both left-wing and right-wing lawmakers outside Macron's centrist alliance. That was apparent again this week, when his prime minister Elisabeth Borne was forced to give up on an immigration bill.

☆ Macron addresses France amid anger over pension reform
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-17 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

French President Emmanuel Macron said Monday that he heard people's anger over raising the retirement age from 62 to 64, but insisted that it was needed. In an televised address to the nation, Macron said "this changes were needed to guarantee everyone's pension," after he enacted the pension law on Saturday. Macron acknowledged anger over increasing prices and jobs that don't "allow too many French people to live well." Before Macron's speech, opponents to the reform called for people to bang pots and pans across France during his address. Macron, who just enacted the protest-igniting pension changes, was expected to provide details about his domestic policies in the coming months.

☆ France's Macron promises government action plan in next 100 days
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-17 | by ( Michel Rose | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

In a televised speech two days after signing into law plans to increase the retirement age by two years to 64, Macron said he wanted his prime minister to propose measures on working conditions, law and order, education and health issues. "On July 14, we must be able to take stock," Macron said, referring to Bastille Day, France's national day, often a milestone in French politics. "We have ahead of us 100 days of appeasement, unity, ambition and action for France," he said. Macron gave few details about the roadmap he wanted the government to work on but said it should improve working conditions and also tighten immigration laws. Far-right leader Marine Le Pen said Macron was "stuck in a parallel world".

[1/2] Protesters hold placards depicting French President Emmanuel Macron during a demonstration as part of the 12th day of nationwide strikes and protests against French government's pension reform, in Paris, France, April 13, 2023. It would also need to find its way through parliament, where Macron has lost his working majority and debate has become increasingly fractious. The conservative Les Republicains' (LR) party, which the government had hoped it would be able to count on for support, has emerged deeply divided from the pension reform saga. "There are gaping wounds in the country," LR lawmaker Aurélien Pradié, who rebelled against the pro-pension reform party line on the reform, said on Twitter. So while the pension reform is on the statute books, Macron has much political capital still to regain.

☆ Opinion: Amid fallout of Macron-Xi meeting, another world leader tries his luck
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-13 | by ( Frida Ghitis | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +8 min

Editor’s Note: Frida Ghitis, a former CNN producer and correspondent, is a world affairs columnist. She is a weekly opinion contributor to CNN, a contributing columnist to The Washington Post and a columnist for World Politics Review. Like most of China’s diplomacy, the country paints itself as champion of global peace, even as it launches menacing military maneuvers. French President Emmanuel Macron and Chinese President Xi Jinping shake hands at a signing ceremony at the Great Hall of the People, Beijing, April 6. Just hours after Macron left, China launched an alarming military operation, encircling Taiwan in a simulation of an assault.

☆ Macron criticised for saying Europe should take independent stance on Taiwan
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-10 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

PARIS, April 10 (Reuters) - French President Emmanuel Macron has caused a stir by saying Europe has no interest in accelerating the conflict in Taiwan and should become a "third pole" independent of both Washington and Beijing. Political actors on both sides of the Atlantic criticised the president's position as being too accommodating of China, just as it carries out military drills around Taiwan. China views democratically governed Taiwan as its own territory and has never renounced the use of force to bring the island under its control. He added that the French president was "increasingly isolating himself in Europe." If Europe doesn't "pick sides between the U.S. and China over Taiwan, then maybe we shouldn't be picking sides either [on Ukraine]," the Republican senator said.

☆ Macron says Europe should not follow U.S. or Chinese policy over Taiwan
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-09 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

April 9 (Reuters) - French President Emmanuel Macron said in comments published on Sunday that Europe had no interest in an acceleration of the crisis over Taiwan and should pursue a strategy independent of both Washington and Beijing. Macron has just returned from a three-day state visit to China, where he received a warm welcome from President Xi Jinping. "The worst thing would be to think that we Europeans must become followers on this topic and adapt to the American rhythm or a Chinese overreaction," Politico quoted him as saying. On Friday, an adviser to Macron told reporters in Guangzhou that Xi and Macron had a "dense and frank" discussion on the issue of Taiwan during their meetings. Macron travelled to China with a 50-strong business delegation including Airbus and nuclear energy producer EDF, which signed deals during the visit.

☆ Macron, Biden want to engage China to end war in Ukraine, Elysee says
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-05 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

BEIJING, April 5 (Reuters) - French President Emmanuel Macron and U.S. President Joe Biden agreed in a telephone call ahead of a visit to Beijing by Macron to engage China to hasten the end of the war in Ukraine, the Elysee Palace said on Wednesday. "The two leaders have mentioned their joint willingness to engage China to accelerate the end of the war in Ukraine and take part in building sustainable peace in the region," Macron's office said in a statement. The Elysee said Macron and Biden both hoped China could contribute to solidarity efforts between the global north and global south and build a joint agenda for the climate and biodiversity. Macron is visiting China from Wednesday to Friday. Reporting by Michel Rose; Editing by Himani Sarkar, Robert BirselOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ Macron says France will prepare 'end of life' bill this year
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-03 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

He said the bill would build on the work of a group of 184 randomly appointed French citizens who have debated the issue since December. Macron did not say whether he wanted euthanasia or assisted suicide to be allowed in France or if the bill would include either or both. Assisted suicide - where medical personnel give someone the means to kill themselves - or voluntary euthanasia - where a physician plays an active role to end a person's life at that person's request - is allowed in several countries in Europe. Assisted suicide has been legal in Switzerland since the 1940s. Some other countries accept only passive euthanasia, where, at the patient's request, some medical treatments are stopped, causing the person's death.

☆ Xavier Niel can feast on European telco misery
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-27 | by ( Pamela Barbaglia | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +5 min

LONDON, March 27 (Reuters Breakingviews) - Xavier Niel is set to be more than a spectator in the looming consolidation of Europe’s telecoms industry. It earned EBITDA after leases of 3.3 billion euros last year. Those shareholdings have a combined market value of 1.2 billion euros, though they were partly funded through derivatives, potentially limiting the tycoon’s cash outlay. On a multiple of 6 times last year’s EBITDA of 652 million euros it’s worth little more than the 3.5 billion euros Niel and other investors paid in 2017. Smaller investments in Monaco Telecom and holdings in Senegal and the Comoros are probably worth a combined billion euros, bankers estimate.

☆ King Charles' visit to France postponed after wave of protests
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-24 | by ( Jenni Reid | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

French gendarmes react near burning garbage bins amid clashes with protesters during a demonstration as part of the ninth day of nationwide strikes and protests against French government's pension reform, in Paris, France, March 23, 2023. King Charles III's visit to France has been postponed, as protests continue over the Paris government's pension system reforms. Unions on Thursday called for a national day of action involving strikes and protests on March 28. The decision to cancel the visit was taken by the French and British governments after a phone call between French President Emmanuel Macron and King Charles, according to an official statement from the Élysée Palace. King Charles was due to visit Paris and Bordeaux, both of which have experienced tense protests.

[1/4] Britain's King Charles waves as he arrives for a visit to the new European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) in London, Britain March 23, 2023. Kirsty Wigglesworth/Pool via REUTERSPARIS, March 24 (Reuters) - Britain's King Charles on Friday cancelled a state visit to France after social unrest over President Emmanuel Macron's new pension law erupted into some of the worst street violence seen in years across the country. "The King and The Queen Consort's State Visit to France has been postponed. Their Majesties greatly look forward to the opportunity to visit France as soon as dates can be found," a Buckingham Palace spokesperson said. A Buckingham Palace source said Charles' visit to Germany will go ahead as planned.

☆ King Charles' state visit to France is delayed as strikes paralyze its cities and people set fire to buildings to protest higher retirement age
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-24 | by ( Joshua Zitser | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

France and the UK agreed to postpone King Charles III's scheduled state visit. The visit was delayed because of turmoil in France over plans to increase the pension age by two years. France is raising its state pension age from 62 to 64. Protests in France over Macron's plan to raise the pension age by two years have become more violent in recent days. Major tourist attractions, including the Eiffel Tower and the Palace of Versailles, where Charles was scheduled to have a state dinner, were also closed on Thursday.

☆ 'Do you think I enjoy doing this reform?': France's Macron breaks silence after overriding parliament
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-22 | by ( Jenni Reid | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

French President Emmanuel Macron is seen on screen as he speaks during a TV interview from the Elysee Palace, in Paris, on March 22, 2023. French President Emmanuel Macron on Wednesday staunchly defended his reforms to the pension system, but said the government could have communicated its policy better. "Do you think I enjoy doing this reform? Macron said the bill needed to be implemented by the end of the year. Strikes have been carried out by teachers, transport workers and refinery workers, who have blocked fuel deliveries in some areas.

ZURICH/BERLIN/LONDON, March 20 (Reuters) - Urs Kessler, who runs Jungfrau Railways, a train that takes tourists up the highest mountain in Switzerland, was excited for the return of Chinese tourists after COVID-19 restrictions were lifted late last year. Chinese outbound flight bookings to Europe during March and August are only 32% that of pre-pandemic levels, according to travel data firm ForwardKeys. OPTIMISM FOR THE FUTUREMany tourist operators and retailers hope the second half will bring a relaxation in visa policies, more flights and the long-expected influx of Chinese tourists. Harrods launched branded stickers, including its iconic teddy bear, on China's popular WeChat messaging platform this year to attract Chinese tourists. Kessler believes his Lang Lang campaign was still worth it.

[1/8] Protesters, holding a placard which reads "Members of parliament, do not vote the pension reform bill", gather in front of the National Assembly in Paris as French parliament set to vote on pensions reform bill, France, March 16, 2023. The afternoon vote in the National Assembly, the lower house of parliament, is a different matter. "It seems that the tally does not ensure a win in the National Assembly," Bruno Retailleau, the head of the LR senators told Public Senat TV. It could decide to resort to a procedure known as "49:3", which would allow it to push the text through without a vote. "If this reform is adopted, the anger and the contestation of this reform will not end," Laurent Berger, the head of CFDT, France's largest union, told franceinfo.

☆ France-U.K. Summit Seeks to Thaw Tensions Between Two Nations
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-10 | by ( Max Colchester | Noemie Bisserbe | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

PARIS—French President Emmanuel Macron is rolling out the red carpet Friday for U.K. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak , as Europe’s two biggest military powers look to end years of bad blood and present a united front against Russia. Mr. Sunak, accompanied by several senior members of his cabinet, will meet with the French president in Paris to discuss issues including defense cooperation, energy security and plans to tackle illegal migration. The aim of the fanfare at the Élysée Palace is to show how the two countries have moved on from years of bickering after Britain’s messy divorce from the European Union.

☆ France-U.K. Summit Rekindles ‘Le Bromance’
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-10 | by ( Max Colchester | Noemie Bisserbe | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

PARIS—French President Emmanuel Macron is rolling out the red carpet Friday for U.K. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak , as Europe’s two biggest military powers look to end years of bad blood and present a united front against Russia. Mr. Sunak, accompanied by several senior members of his cabinet, is meeting with the French president in Paris to discuss issues including defense cooperation, energy security and plans to tackle illegal migration. The aim of the fanfare at the Élysée Palace is to show how the two countries have moved on from years of bickering after Britain’s messy divorce from the European Union.

It was a far cry from the barbs Macron traded with Boris Johnson when he was in Downing Street. The French foreign minister at the time, Jean-Yves Le Drian, said France had been "stabbed in the back". Macron's hardball tactics to ensure French fishermen got a good deal had made him the bete noire of British tabloids. But even before news of the AUKUS deal he was incensed by Johnson's decision to leak details of their conversation to the press, a French official said. A French official let out a sigh of relief after it wrapped up: "It went well, didn't it?"

☆ UK's Sunak meets France's Macron in scramble to mend relations after Boris Johnson missteps
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-10 | by ( Sam Meredith | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

French President Emmanuel Macron welcomes British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak prior to the 36th Franco-British Summit at the Elysee Palace on March 10, 2023 in Paris, France. Sunak and Macron greeted each other at the Élysée Palace in Paris Friday morning. "The destinies of the United Kingdom and France are linked," Macron said via Twitter, as he welcomed Sunak to Paris. It is thought that Macron and Sunak will hold a press briefing shortly after the conclusion of the talks. Sunak and Macron have billed the summit as an opportunity to reset the strained cross-Channel relationship.

Search resuls for: "Elysée"

25 mentions found