DIRS.INFO The most relevant business & tech news

☆ Kylian Mbappé and Real Madrid: Soccer’s never-ending transfer saga
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-17 | by ( Thomas Schlachter | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +12 min

This, of course, is Kylian Mbappé’s much discussed, potential move from Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) to Real Madrid. The first time Real Madrid came calling for the boy from Bondy was when the forward was just 13 years old. Zinedine Zidane watches on as Mbappé plays against his Real Madrid team in 2019. I mean, that tells you the story through that.”Jude Bellingham (C) and Vinícius Júnior (R) are leading the next generation of Real Madrid stars. “The biggest failure for me would be that Real Madrid didn’t have a plan B if the Mbappé signing didn’t happen,” he adds.

Persons: Germain, Mbappé, Zinedine Zidane, ” Mbappé, ‘ Zidane, ’ ”, Anthony Dibon, Blancos, Emmanuel Macron, Macron, France’s, “, ”, ” France's, Francois Mori, Lindsay Sarah Krasnoff, it’s, Krasnoff, Bleus, –, de Cordée, Anne, Christine Poujoulat, ” Nabil Larbi, Billie Jean King’s, undesirables ’, PSG President Nasser Al, Kirill Kudryavtsev, David Beckham, Ronaldo Nazário, Zidane, Cristiano Ronaldo, Kaká, Florentino Pérez, Álvaro Romeo, Vinícius Jr, Jude Bellingham –, Dani Carvajal, I’m, ” Carvajal, ” Romeo, Romeo, he’s, ” Jude Bellingham, Vinícius, Jorge Guerrero, Merengues, Real, they’ve, Karim Benzema, Joselu Organizations: CNN, Paris Saint, PSG, AS Monaco, Real Madrid, Real, Players ’ Tribune, French national, League, The New York Times, Getty, CNN Sport, peerless, Fifth, Stade de France, Stade France, French, PSG President, City, Spain Real Madrid, Madrid Locations: Paris, Real Madrid, Madrid, Bondy, Spain, France, Fifth Republic, Republic, AFP, Greater Paris, Mbappé, Cameroon, Algeria, Bondy’s, Japan, City of, Spanish, Real, Saudi Arabian, Ittihad

☆ Very few positives for France after reserves struggle against Uruguay
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-15 | by ( Julien Pretot | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

Lock Cameron Woki, a starter in both the New Zealand and Uruguay games, labelled the lack of discipline, which was patent in the scrums, as 'unacceptable' after France had conceded only four penalties against the All Blacks. We started off with a disciplined performance that enabled us to win the match against New Zealand," said Galthie. A World Cup is a long-term adventure, each match is a test and group life is very important," he said. "A match like this strengthens the squad, making it better and stronger for the match (against Namibia) in Marseille in a week." Only hooker Julien Marchand, who sustained a thigh injury in the 27-13 win against New Zealand, is not available.

Persons: Fabien Galthie, Pierre Mauroy, Bleus, Melvyn Jaminet, Lock Cameron Woki, you've, Galthie, Scrumhalf Antoine Dupont, flyhalf Matthieu Jalibert, Charles Ollivon, haven't, There's Anthony, Jelonch, Cyril Baille, Julien Marchand, Julien Pretot, Christian Radnedge Organizations: Uruguay, Rugby, New Zealand, New, France, All Blacks, Italy, Ireland, South Africa, Thomson Locations: France, New Zealand, Uruguay, Namibia, Marseille, Lyon

☆ French ambassador in Niger being held hostage by junta, Macron says
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-15 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: 1 min

French President Emmanuel Macron attends a press conference, on the second day of the G20 summit in New Delhi, India, September 10, 2023. REUTERS/Amit Dave/File photo Acquire Licensing RightsPARIS, Sept 15 (Reuters) - France's ambassador in Niger is being held hostage at the French embassy by the military junta which has seized power in the West African nation, President Emmanuel Macron said on Friday. "As we speak, we have an ambassador and diplomatic members which are being literally held hostage at the French embassy, and food is prevented from being delivered. They're eating military rations," Macron told reporters during a visit to Burgundy. Reporting by Michel Rose; editing by Geert de Clercq and Andrew HeavensOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Emmanuel Macron, Amit Dave, Macron, Michel Rose, Geert de Clercq, Andrew Heavens Organizations: REUTERS, Rights, Thomson Locations: New Delhi, India, Niger, West African, Burgundy

☆ Salesforce to hire 3,300 people after layoffs earlier this year- Bloomberg News
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-15 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: 1 min

Technology category · September 14, 2023Germany will examine radiation concerns about Apple's iPhone 12 for the German market if France's probe advances sufficiently, its network regulator said on Thursday, adding that the French procedure has a guiding function for Europe as a whole.

Locations: Germany, Europe

☆ France's Total in talks to invest in Adani Green's projects - Bloomberg News
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-15 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

REUTERS/Gonzalo Fuentes/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsSept 14 (Reuters) - French oil major TotalEnergies (TTEF.PA) is in talks to invest in renewable energy projects developed by India's Adani Green Energy (ADNA.NS) as part of its clean energy push, Bloomberg News reported on Friday, citing unnamed sources. Total could invest about $700 million in the projects, the report said, citing one source. The Adani Group has denied wrongdoing. Adani Green shares were up 0.5% on Friday. Adani Green had in July said it approved raising 123 billion rupees through a qualified institutional placement.

Persons: Gonzalo Fuentes, India's, Adani, Gautam Adani's, Hindenburg, Adani Green, Evelyn Nikhila S, Ganesh, Mrigank Organizations: La Defense, REUTERS, Energy, Bloomberg, Adani, Thomson Locations: La, Paris, France, Bengaluru

☆ Biden’s offshore wind target slipping out of reach as projects struggle
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-15 | by ( Nichola Groom | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +7 min

The 2030 target, unveiled shortly after Biden took office, is central to Biden's broader plan to decarbonize the U.S. economy by 2050. The energy research firm expects 21 GW of offshore wind along U.S. shores in 2030, breaking 30 GW by 2032. Still, offshore wind developers including Orsted have said the IRA’s subsidies are insufficient for projects to thrive in the current environment, and are lobbying the administration for additional concessions. The nation currently has just two pilot-scale offshore wind farms capable of producing 42 megawatts of electricity. Stephanie McClellan, executive director of the offshore wind advocacy group Turn Forward, said making sure the first fleet of projects succeeds was more important than a particular timeline.

Persons: Brian Snyder, Joe Biden’s, Biden, Kris Ohleth, It's, Samantha Woodworth, Wood Mackenzie, Michael Brown, France's, it's, Kelly Penot, Rousseau, Orsted, Michael Kikukawa, Samah Shaiq, Shaiq, Doreen Harris, NYSERDA, Elizabeth Mahony, Stephanie McClellan, Nichola Groom, David Gregorio Our Organizations: REUTERS, BP, Shell, Companies, Developers, Ocean Winds, Reuters, Biden, U.S . Department of Energy, DOE, New York State Energy Research, Development Authority, New York State Department of Public Service, Equinor, Orsted . Massachusetts Department of Energy, Office of Energy, Environmental Affairs, New, New Jersey Board of Public Utilities, Thomson Locations: Rhode, U.S, North American, Massachusetts, Gulf of Mexico, Europe, Asia, China, United Kingdom, New Jersey, New York, Orsted .

PARIS, Sept 14 (Reuters) - Belgium said on Thursday it would review the potential health risks linked to Apple's iPhone 12, becoming the latest European country to react after France ordered a halt to sales citing breaches of radiation exposure limits. Apple on Wednesday said the iPhone 12, launched in 2020, was certified by multiple international bodies as compliant with radiation standards and that it was contesting France's findings. But Paris' move to halt iPhone 12 sales until Apple fixes the radiation issues detected in two tests raised the prospect of further bans in Europe. Researchers have conducted a vast number of studies over the last two decades to assess health risks resulting from mobile phones. According to the World Health Organisation, no adverse health effects have been established as being caused by mobile phone use.

Persons: Mathieu Michel, digitalisation, Michel, Marine Strauss, Tassilo Hummel, Giuseppe Fonte, Ingrid Melander, Mark Potter Organizations: Apple, World Health, Reuters, Thomson Locations: Belgium, France, Paris, Europe, Belgium's, U.S, Brussels, Rome

☆ France targets 16 billion euros in savings next year, trims growth outlook
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-14 | by ( Leigh Thomas | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

REUTERS/Benoit Tessier/file photo Acquire Licensing RightsPARIS, Sept 14 (Reuters) - The French government aims to squeeze 16 billion euros ($17 billion) in savings from its 2024 budget, finance minister Bruno Le Maire said on Thursday as he trimmed France's growth outlook. Le Maire said 10 billion euros in savings would come from scrapping caps on power and gas prices, put in place to soften the pain for households from Europe's energy price crisis. Le Maire said the inflation shock over the last year would further subside, boosting household consumption - the traditional motor of French economic growth. While the government aims to cut spending, it would nonetheless increase some expenditures, with 4 billion euros more earmarked for the interior ministry and the armed forces. A further 7 billion euros has been set aside for environmentally friendly investments due to be presented later this month and financed by removing some of the tax breaks which some industries get on their on fossil fuel use.

Persons: Digital Security Bruno Le Maire, Benoit Tessier, Bruno Le Maire, Le Maire, Leigh Thomas, David Holmes Organizations: Economy, Finance, Industry, Digital Security, Bercy Finance Ministry, REUTERS, Rights, Thomson Locations: Paris, France

☆ Germany says France's iPhone 12 process has guiding function for Europe
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-14 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

BERLIN, Sept 14 (Reuters) - Germany will examine radiation concerns about Apple's (AAPL.O) iPhone 12 for the German market if France's probe advances sufficiently, its network regulator said on Thursday, adding that the French procedure has a guiding function for Europe as a whole. "The Federal Network Agency is in close contact with the responsible authority in France," the regulator told Reuters. Researchers have conducted a vast number of studies over the last two decades to assess health risks resulting from mobile phones. According to the World Health Organisation, no adverse health effects have been established as being caused by mobile phone use. Reporting by Riham Alkousaa Editing by Miranda MurrayOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Riham, Miranda Murray Organizations: France's Agence Nationale des, Apple, Federal Network Agency, Reuters, World Health, Thomson Locations: Germany, Europe, France's, France

☆ Top of the table clash gives Milan derby extra edge
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-14 | by ( Trevor Stynes | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

The match at the San Siro will be the first time since 1962 that the Milan sides meet while top of the table. But this Milan side are a different proposition from the team who put up such a disappointing defence of their league title last season. Preparations for the derby will mostly come down to the last few days with most of their starting players returning from international duty. Milan have a concern over Giroud after he went off injured in France's win over Ireland last week but are hopeful he can recover. Jose Mourinho's AS Roma, with just one point from three games, will try to kick-start their season when they host Empoli on Sunday.

Persons: Stefano Pioli, Massimo Pinca, San Siro, Stefano Pioli's, Tijjani Reijnders, Christian Pulisic, Ruben Loftus, Cheek, Pulisic, Rafael Leao, Loftus, Reijnders, Milan, Sandro Tonali, Olivier Giroud's, Lautaro Martinez, Martinez, Simone Inzaghi, Romelu, Eden Dzeko, Marcus Thuram, Luka Jovic, Fikayo Timori, Simon Kjaer, Jose Mourinho's, Trevor Stynes, Peter Rutherford Organizations: Soccer, Juventus, AC Milan, Allianz, Milan, Inter, Serie, Napoli, Lazio, San, Fiorentina, Champions League, Serie A's, France's, Ireland, Juve, Genoa, Lecce, Jose Mourinho's AS Roma, Empoli, Thomson Locations: Turin, Italy, Saturday's Milan, Milan, Newcastle, Monza

☆ Pope's visit to France stirs debate over immigration, secularism
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-14 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

Pope Francis meets people on the day of the weekly general audience at the Vatican, September 13, 2023. Vatican Media/Handout via REUTERS Acquire Licensing RightsPARIS, Sept 14 (Reuters) - Pope Francis' scheduled visit to France next week has stirred debate in the French political class, with left-wing politicians criticising the president for attending Mass while the far-right objects to the pope's positive views on immigration. Macron's advisers said French leaders had attended Mass before, and there was "confusion" as to what secularism means. "I disagree with Pope Francis," Marechal said on BFM TV on Thursday. France, home to Europe's largest Muslim community, is regularly convulsed with debates on immigration.

Persons: Pope Francis, Francis, Emmanuel Macron, Fabien Roussel, Macron, Marion Marechal, Marine Le, Marechal, doesn't, Michel Rose, Elizabeth Pineau, Philip Pullella, David Gregorio Our Organizations: Vatican, Handout, REUTERS Acquire, Rights, French Communist, Thomson Locations: France, Marseille, France's, Republic, Europe, Paris, Rome

☆ EU to investigate 'flood' of Chinese electric cars, weighing tariffs
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-13 | by ( Philip Blenkinsop | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +6 min

"Global markets are now flooded with cheaper electric cars. It is also unusual in that it is brought by the European Commission itself, rather than in response to an industry complaint. GRINDING GEARSThe influx of cheaper Chinese electric vehicles has already prompted some European carmakers to take action. At the same time Von der Leyen stressed the importance of electric vehicles to the EU's ambitious environmental objectives. The founder of Nio warned in April that Chinese EV makers should brace for the possibility that foreign governments would impose protectionist policies.

Persons: Ursula von der Leyen, BYD, EVs, Nio, Mercedes Benz, Stellantis, France's, Tesla, VDA, Von der Leyen, Simone Tagliapietra, Kingsmill Bond, Foo Yun Chee, Philip Blenkinsop, Kim Miyoung, Brenda Goh, Anne Marie Roantree, Nick Carey, Kate Abnett, Gabriela Baczynska, Louise Heavens Organizations: EU, Investigation, European EV, European Commission, European Union, Renault, BMW, HK, China Passenger Car Association, Dynamics, Volvo, EV, VW, France's Renault, Japan, Rocky Mountain Institute, Thomson Locations: BRUSSELS, Brussels, China, Moscow, Ukraine, Germany, France, Europe, U.S

☆ France's Macron to Meet UK Opposition Leader Starmer on Sept. 19
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-13 | by ( Sept. | At P.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +1 min

PARIS (Reuters) - Britain's opposition leader Keir Starmer will meet French President Emmanuel Macron on Sept. 19 as he builds up his foreign policy experience ahead of a general election expected next year which opinion polls show he is likely to win. The meeting in Paris is due to take place the day before King Charles travels to France for a state visit. Since being Labour leader, he has ruled out a holding a second referendum, saying it would reopen "old wounds". Although meetings between British opposition leaders and foreign leaders are relatively rare, Starmer did meet with the German Chancellor Olaf Scholz last year. Sunak's press secretary said of Macron's meeting with Starmer: "It's not unusual for opposition leaders to meet world leaders."

Persons: Keir Starmer, Emmanuel Macron, King Charles, Rishi Sunak's, Starmer, Olaf Scholz, Sunak's, Michel Rose, Tassilo Hummel, Andrew MacAskill, Alex Richardson, Kylie MacLellan Organizations: PARIS, Starmer's Labour Party, Conservatives, European Union, Conservative, Britain, EU, Labour Locations: Paris, France

☆ iPhone 12 emits too much radiation, France says. It rules Apple must take it off the market.
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-13 | by ( Associated Press | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

The iPhone 12 will not be sold in France after a government agency said it emits too much radiation. The phone passed a separate test of radiation levels for devices kept in a jacket or in a bag, the agency said. AdvertisementAdvertisementUsers of the iPhone 12 should be able to download an update that prevents radiation exposure from surpassing the limit, Sperrin said. Apple said the iPhone 12 has been certified by multiple international bodies and complies with all applicable regulations and standards for radiation around the world. He said the iPhone 12's radiation levels are "slightly higher" than EU standards but "significantly lower than levels where scientific studies consider there may be consequences for users.

Persons: didn't, Malcolm Sperrin, Sperrin, It's, Apple, Noël, haven't, Ian Scivill Organizations: Apple, Service, Union, Frequency Agency, Royal, France, Radio, World Health, Royal Hallamshire Hospital Locations: France, Wall, Silicon, French, Royal Berkshire

France's own hefty nuclear power sector - which generates over 60% of the country's electricity - is clearly a key beneficiary of the allowances made by lawmakers as part of the deal which aggressively lifts EU renewable energy usage targets. But all of Europe's nuclear power producers may get a lift from the new deal, which allows for certain non-emitting nuclear facilities to bypass rules relating to hydrogen production. In addition, the EU's apparent acceptance that nuclear power is a key source of low-carbon energy will likely further shore up support for nuclear power. Beyond France, several European countries rely on nuclear power to generate a substantial share of electricity, including Sweden, Spain, Switzerland, Finland, Belgium and Bulgaria. The nuclear sector still has plenty of opponents, who point to decades-long construction times and multi-billion dollar price tags as key reasons why cheaper and quicker-to-build renewable sources may be a better fit for Europe's energy needs.

Persons: Regis, France's, Gavin Maguire, Stephen Coates Organizations: REUTERS, European Union, Beyond, Reuters, Thomson Locations: Agen, Toulouse, France, LITTLETON , Colorado, Europe, Ukraine, Beyond France, Sweden, Spain, Switzerland, Finland, Belgium, Bulgaria, Italy, Germany

LONDON, Sept 13 (Reuters) - France's radiation watchdog has banned sales of Apple's (AAPL.O) iPhone 12 after tests that it said showed the smartphone breached European radiation exposure limits. Apple disputes the watchdog's conclusions, saying the iPhone 12 was certified by multiple international bodies as compliant with global radiation standards. The ANFR said it recently carried out random tests on 141 phones, including iPhone 12, bought from shops. Smartphone radiation tests have so far led to 42 imposed sale stops in the country, it said. The ANFR said the iPhone 12 had failed to meet European Union standards, raising questions over whether more sales bans could be coming elsewhere.

Persons: Jean, Noel Barrot, Le, ANFR, Rodney Croft, Apple, Martin Coulter, Jennifer Rigby, Elizabeth Pineau, Mark Potter, Josie Kao Organizations: Agence Nationale des, Apple, Digital Minister, Reuters, International Commission, EU, WHO, International Agency for Research, Cancer, APPLE, Union, Germany's Federal, for Radiation, Thomson Locations: France

☆ Dutch watchdog seeks Apple explanation on French iPhone12 radiation tests, media report
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-13 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

AMSTERDAM, Sept 13 (Reuters) - The Dutch digital watchdog is looking into a French report saying Apple's (AAPL.O) iPhone 12 model breaches European Union radiation exposure limits and will ask the U.S. company for an explanation, according to an official quoted by the daily Algemeen Dagblad. "The Netherlands attaches as much importance as France to safe use of mobile phones. Mobile phones must comply with Europeans norms." Germany's network regulator BNetzA said it might launch similar proceedings and was in close contact with French authorities, while Spain's OCU consumers' group urged authorities there to halt the sales of the iPhone 12. Reporting by Toby Sterling and Benoit Van Overstraeten; Editing by David GregorioOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Angeline van Dijk, BNetzA, Apple, Toby Sterling, Benoit Van Overstraeten, David Gregorio Our Organizations: U.S ., France's Agence Nationale des, Apple, Nederlandse, Mobile, Thomson Locations: AMSTERDAM, U.S, Dagblad, France's, France, Netherlands

☆ German economic weakness belies France's outperformance
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-12 | by ( Leigh Thomas | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

The European Commission said on Monday the two economies were on diverging paths this year with Germany forecast to be in a recession with a 0.4% contraction and France expected to grow 1.0%. With weak construction and declining construction investment weighing on Europe's biggest economy, Germany's outlook was slashed from a previous forecast for 0.2% growth while France was upgraded from 0.7%. The contrasting fortunes of the euro zone's two biggest economies can also be explained by tailwinds working against Germany and headwinds helping France. Germany's gas-hungry chemical industry has seen production fall 18% from 2019 levels while in France it is only 8%, Colombier said. That leaves few props to lend support to French growth going forward other than household savings.

Persons: Jean, Paul Pelissier, Germany's, Mathieu, tailwinds, headwinds, Charles, Henri Colombier, Colombier, Plane, Leigh Thomas, William Maclean Organizations: REUTERS, European, Germany, France's Finance, Thomson Locations: Marseille, Fos, Fos sur Mer, France, Germany, PARIS, Paris

☆ Airbus to combine fighter businesses in defence shake-up -sources
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-12 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

An Airbus A321 XLR aircraft performs a flying display at the 54th International Paris Airshow at Le Bourget Airport near Paris, France, June 20, 2023. REUTERS/Benoit Tessier/File photo Acquire Licensing RightsPARIS, Sept 12 (Reuters) - Airbus (AIR.PA) plans to merge two separate fighter businesses as part of a reorganisation of its Defence & Space division, union sources said. Asked about the new combination, which is part of a deeper Defence & Space restructuring codenamed ATOM, an Airbus spokesperson said: "We are currently discussing the details and ideas with our social partners". In July, Airbus Chief Executive Guillaume Faury said a reorganisation in Defence & Space was designed to make the business more agile. Despite a broad increase in overall demand for weapons since the Ukraine conflict began, Airbus Defence & Space is the company's second-biggest activity in terms of revenues but the least profitable, lagging behind jetliners and helicopters.

Persons: Benoit Tessier, Jean, Brice Dumont, Bruno Fichefeux, Guillaume Faury, Faury, Tim Hepher, David Holmes Organizations: Airbus, Paris, REUTERS, Rights, Defence, Space, Military Air Systems, Franco, France's Dassault Aviation, Airbus Defence, Thomson Locations: Le Bourget, Paris, France, Spanish, Ukraine

☆ Jelonch back as France ring the changes to face Uruguay
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-12 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

LILLE, France, Sept 12 (Reuters) - France head coach Fabien Galthie made 12 changes to the team who beat New Zealand in the World Cup curtain raiser as Anthony Jelonch is making a long-awaited comeback to face Uruguay in Lille on Thursday. "He needed a lot of willpower, a lot of fighting spirit to be here with us," Galthie told a press conference on Tuesday. Jelonch, who underwent surgery in March and will captain the team on Thursday, said he went through periods of 'doubt'. From the team who started at the Stade de France, only lock Cameron Woki, centre Yoram Moefana and winger Gabin Villiere will be on the Pierre Mauroy stadium field at kickoff. "They're a South American team who are going to fight with a lot of aggressiveness and a lot of energy," said Galthie.

Persons: Fabien Galthie, Anthony Jelonch, Les Bleus, Galthie, Jelonch, I'd, Paul Boudehent, Sekou Macalou, Maxime Lucu, Antoine Dupont, Antoine Hastoy, Matthieu Jalibert, Melvyn Jaminet, France's, Louis Bielle, Cameron Woki, Yoram Moefana, Gabin Villiere, Pierre Mauroy, Paul Bourgarit, Jean, Baptiste Gros, Dorian Aldegheri, William Servat, Lock Bastien Chalureau, Italy, Les, Arthur Vincent, Romain Taofifenua, Pierre Bourgarit, Reda Wardi, Sipili Falatea, Bastien Chalureau, Thibaud Flament, François Cros, Baptiste Couilloud, Thomas Ramos, Julien Pretot, Christian Radnedge Organizations: LILLE, New Zealand, All Blacks, Six Nations, Stade de France, Namibia, France, Fiji, South, Thomson Locations: France, Uruguay, Lille, scrumhalf, flyhalf, A, Marseille, Lyon, South American

☆ Serbia and France off to winning starts in Davis Cup
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-12 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

The 36-year-old's team mates ensured there were no hiccups in their opener as Dusan Lajovic downed Hong Seong-chan 6-4 7-6(3) and Laslo Djere battled past Kwon Soon-woo 4-6 6-2 6-2 to give Serbia an unassailable 2-0 lead in the tie. "It's tough to play against a player who you consider is not at his highest level but this is the Davis Cup and everybody can surprise you." Adrian Mannarino battled past Dominic Stricker 3-6 6-1 6-4 while Ugo Humbert sealed a comfortable 6-4 6-4 win over veteran Stan Wawrinka, who made his return to Davis Cup duty earlier in 2023 after seven years away. Nicolas Mahut and Edouard Roger-Vasselin teamed up to beat Wawrinka and Marc-Andrea Huesler 6-2 6-2 in the doubles rubber. Nicolas Jarry then settled the contest by defeating Elias Ymer 6-2 6-4 in 69 minutes.

Persons: France's Ugo Humbert, Switzerland's Stan Wawrinka, Jason Cairnduff, Novak Djokovic, Djokovic, Margaret Court's, Dusan Lajovic, Hong, Laslo Djere, Kwon, Djere, He's, hasn't, Adrian Mannarino, Dominic Stricker, Ugo Humbert, Stan Wawrinka, It's, Stan, he's, Humbert, Adrian, Nicolas Mahut, Edouard Roger, Vasselin, Wawrinka, Marc, Andrea Huesler, Leo Borg, Bjorn Borg, Cristian Garin, Nicolas Jarry, Elias Ymer, Wesley Koolhof, Harri Heliovaara, Patrik Niklas, Salminen, Shrivathsa Sridhar, Ken Ferris Organizations: AO, Rights, Davis, South Korea, Spain, U.S, France, Chile, Thomson Locations: France, Manchester, Britain, Serbia, Valencia, Czech Republic, Switzerland, Australia, Malaga, Sweden, Bologna, Croatian, Split, Netherlands, Finland, Bengaluru

☆ France calls for release of French official in Niger
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-12 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

PARIS, Sept 12 (Reuters) - France's foreign ministry on Tuesday called for the immediate release of a French official held by security forces in Niger. It said that an adviser to French nationals in Niger had been arrested by Niger security forces on September 8. The official is a "conseiller des Français de l’étranger" (adviser to French citizens abroad), who is an elected official who represents French expatriates and works closely with the country's embassies and consulates. According to the foreign ministry website, there are 442 such advisers worldwide. Their role is to help French expats with issues relating to work, schools, social security and other issues.

Persons: Tassilo Hummel, William Maclean Organizations: French, GV, Thomson Locations: Niger, France, Paris, Niamey, French

☆ French watchdog halts iPhone 12 sales over too-high radiation - minister
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-12 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

REUTERS/ Regis Duvignau/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsPARIS, Sept 12 (Reuters) - Apple must stop selling its iPhone 12 model in France due to above-threshold radiation levels, France's junior minister for the digital economy told newspaper Le Parisien in an interview published on Tuesday. France's radiation watchdog ANFR notified Apple of its decision to ban iPhone 12 sales after it had carried out tests which showed the smartphone's Specific Absorption Rate (SAR) was slightly higher than legally allowed, Jean-Noel Barrot told the paper. Barrot said a software update would be sufficient to fix the radiation issues linked to the phone which the U.S. company has been selling since 2020. The French watchdog will now pass on its findings to regulators in other EU member states. In 2020, France widened regulations requiring retailers to display the radiation value of products on packaging beyond cell phones, including tablets and other electronic devices.

Persons: Regis, Le, Jean, Noel Barrot, Barrot, Tassilo Hummel, Aurora Ellis Organizations: Apple, REUTERS, Rights, Le Parisien, U.S ., European Union, Thomson Locations: Lusignac, France, U.S

☆ World Cup off to a flier after memorable weekend
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-11 | by ( Mitch Phillips | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

MARSEILLE, France, Sept 11 (Reuters) - Rugby World Cup organisers hoped for a blockbuster opening weekend and they certainly got one, starting with host France's uplifting Friday night win and ending with a huge "what if?" moment in Sunday's classic Wales v Fiji encounter. "As the first weekend of the tournament comes to a close, the France 2023 Organising Committee would like to thank the French and international fans present across the country who kicked off the 10th Rugby World Cup," the hosts said in a statement on Monday. George Ford stunned the Pumas with three drop goals as he kicked all the points in a dominant 27-10 victory. The highlight of another packed weekend programme looks to be Australia v Fiji in St Etienne.

Persons: Eddie Jones, Tom Curry, George Ford, Mitch Phillips, Pritha Sarkar Organizations: Rugby, Fiji, Blacks, Australia, Pumas, Wales, Wallabies, England, Romania, Marseille, New, Namibia, Thomson Locations: MARSEILLE, France, Sunday's, Wales, Rugby, Namibia, Italy, Romania, Georgia, Marseille, England, Argentina, Velodrome, Chile, Japan, Scotland, South Africa, Bordeaux, Fiji, Ireland, Uruguay, New Zealand, St Etienne

☆ France says controversy over Morocco aid misplaced
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-11 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Paris and Rabat have had a difficult relationship in recent years notably over the issue of Western Sahara, which Morocco wants France to recognise as Moroccan. "This is a misplaced controversy," Catherine Colonna told BFM television when asked why Morocco had not made an official request to Paris for urgent assistance despite accepting help from Spain, Britain, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates. "We are ready to help Morocco. Paris has made 5 million euros ($5.4 million) available for non-governmental organisations operating in Morocco, Colonna said. Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin told France 2 earlier on Monday that Rabat, a "brotherly" nation, had the capabilities to cope alone with the rescue efforts.

Persons: Catherine Colonna, BFM, Colonna, Emmanuel Macron, Morocco's King Mohammed VI, Gerald Darmanin, John Irish, Nicolas Delame, David Holmes Organizations: United, France, Polisario, Western, Observatory, Immigration, Thomson Locations: Morocco, France, Paris, Rabat, Western Sahara, Moroccan, Spain, Britain, Qatar, United Arab Emirates, It's, Algeria, Algiers

Search resuls for: "France's"

25 mentions found