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☆ 'Stalin' said he disagreed with Putin's invasion of Ukraine. We 'spoke' to dead historical figures using a new AI chatbot that experts are sounding the alarm over.
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-22 | by ( Bethany Dawson | Mia Jankowicz | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +9 min

Insider "spoke" to bots acting as Princess Diana, Heinrich Himmler, Joseph Stalin, and Fred Trump. AI 'Fred Trump,' Donald Trump's father, isn't impressed with his son's politics. But AI Fred Trump "said" that he's "very proud" of his son, describing him as a "successful businessperson" and an "amazing father." An AI chatbot acting as Fred Trump, Donald Trump's father. AI Stalin called for the two countries to "find a peaceful solution."

☆ Pro-Kremlin channel Russia Today says France operation closing
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-21 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

Late last February, shortly after Russia invaded Ukraine, the European Union said it would ban Russia Today on the grounds it had been spreading disinformation about the war. RT (Russia Today) France appealed the ban but lost. "The funds of RT France are frozen at the request of the general directorate of the Treasury ... our channel can no longer continue its activity," she said. In March, the European Union's Court of Justice on Wednesday rejected a RT France bid for a temporary reprieve. It accused the French authorities of censorship and said RT France had never been condemned or sanctioned for any reason.

☆ 'China cannot be out, China must be in': France says it's diverging with Washington on Beijing ties
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-20 | by ( Silvia Amaro | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: 1 min

DAVOS, Switzerland — The European Union does not see eye-to-eye with the United States when it comes to opposing China, the French finance minister told CNBC Friday. Speaking at a panel at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, looking at the economic outlook, France's Bruno Le Maire said: "China cannot be out, China must be in. "We don't want to oppose China, we want to engage with China, we want China to obey by the same rules," he said, "this is our policy." The United States has taken a confrontational approach with China particularly when it comes to the technology sector. The European Union, however, has looked at striking a balance between its political friendship with the U.S. and its economic ties with China.

☆ European junk debt sales spring back to life as sentiment improves
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-20 | by ( Chiara Elisei | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

According to Refinitiv data, those sales so far in January add to almost $2.2 billion worth of sales in December and $760 million in November. Decades-high inflation and aggressive central bank rate hikes also weighed on debt markets with investors shunning risk assets. Firms are either selling new debt or asking investors to extend the maturity of existing debt, offering in return an increase in the interest they pay. Last week, Air France SA-KLM (AIRF.PA) sold a debut sustainability-linked bond worth one billion euros, giving the European credit market its first major high-yield deal in months. Analysts say that such firms could struggle with selling new debt and might require shareholder support to entice investors.

☆ Strike reduces French power supply, halts refinery shipments
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-19 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

EDF's (EDF.PA) outage table showed a 4.5 GW nuclear supply reduction at eight reactors, 460 megawatts (MW) of reduced hydropower and 2.8 GW of lower thermal production. This is how strikes work in France : strikers are not allowed to put security of supply at risk," analyst Emeric de Vigan said. Meanwhile, deliveries of refined oil products were blocked from leaving refineries operated by TotalEnergies , the company said. There would be no disruption to fuel supplies at service stations if the unions maintained their strike timetable, TotalEnergies has said. The CGT refineries federation has called for a single day of strike this week and further walkouts next week and the week after.

☆ Factbox: Unions vs Macron: French pension strikes snarl trains, close schools
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-19 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

PARIS, Jan 19 (Reuters) - French workers across the private and public sectors joined nationwide strikes on Thursday, snarling the rail network, closing schools and halting refinery deliveries. Here's where the impact is being felt:RAILWAYS, BUSES, METRONational train services and bus and metro operations in Paris were severely disrupted. The hard-left CGT's refinery federation has announced a further 48-hour strike next week and a 72-hour strike the week after. The Education Ministry said just 35% of high school teachers joined the industrial action, and 42% of primary school teachers. French law compels medics and other critical public services to guarantee a minimum level of cover.

☆ France to push for 'Made in Europe' strategy at Feb EU summit
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-16 | by ( Jan Strupczewski | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

BRUSSELS, Jan 16 (Reuters) - France wants the European Union to adopt a "Made in Europe" industrial strategy in response to the U.S. scheme of subsidies for green investment, to keep industrial firms from leaving Europe and reduce members' dependence on outside suppliers. "The implementation of an ambitious and robust European industrial policy is therefore essential today. The French authorities propose that it take the form of a 'Made in Europe' strategy," France said in a paper seen by Reuters. The French paper called for urgent measures in particular to retain Europe companies involved in solar panels, batteries, hydrogen and critical raw materials, noting the "Made in Europe" strategy should be based on four pillars. The third pillar should be EU funding for sensitive sectors, which would help equalise the uneven fiscal power for supporting industries among EU countries.

☆ UK to supply tanks as Russian missiles hit across Ukraine
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-14 | by ( Associated Press | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +6 min

Earlier this month, France said it would send AMX-10 RC armored combat vehicles to Ukraine, designated “light tanks” in French. Sunak’s announcement came as Russian forces fired missiles at Kyiv and other parts of Ukraine on Saturday in the first major barrage in days. In the northeastern Kharkiv region, Gov. On Saturday morning, two Russian missiles hit Kharkiv, Ukraine’s second-largest city. But that cuts both ways, as Ukraine says its fierce defense of the eastern strongholds has helped tie up Russian forces.

Passengers stuck at O'Hare International Airport in Chicago greeted the latest air travel disruption with a collective shrug. And our nation’s economy depends on a best-in-class air travel system. "We call on federal policymakers to modernize our vital air travel infrastructure to ensure our systems are able to meet demand safely and efficiently," he said. "An FAA system outage is causing ground stops at AUS and other airports across the country," the Austin-Bergstrom International Airport said in a tweet. Air France said all of its U.S.-bound flights were operating as planned and were not affected by the FAA computer outage.

☆ Netflix's new ad tier plan appears to be working
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-09 | by ( Lucia Moses | Ryan Joe | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

Netflix's new ad-supported tier accounted for 13% of subscribers in its first month, new Evercore research found. Evercore believes the ad tier is driving incremental subscriber growth for Netflix. The firm upgraded its rating on Netflix in September based on its ad-supported tier and plan to crack down on password-sharing, which are expected to drive earnings and share price. Netflix's ad tier entered a crowded field of streaming services, including ad-supported versions, from Disney's Hulu to Comcast's Peacock to Warner Bros. Netflix's ad tier was followed close behind Disney+ with Ads launching in December, and Warner plans to launch a combined Discovery+-HBO Max app in spring with an ad-supported tier.

☆ The tank-killing armored vehicle that France is sending to Ukraine is 'a bit of an oddity,' but don't call it a tank
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-08 | by ( Michael Peck | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

France said on January 5 that it would send the AMX-10RC armored vehicle to Ukraine. The "tank" vs. "armored vehicle" debate is a long and often contentious one, but AMX-10RCs are armored reconnaissance vehicles and not tanks, which usually have large-caliber main guns, heavy-duty armor, and tracks. Fighting there has become trench warfare, with incremental gains rather than sweeping armored offensives in which fast, armored scout vehicles excel. Armored vehicles are still vital on the battlefield, but an armored car may have limited utility against swarms of anti-tank missiles, attack drones, and smart artillery shells. What's important is that the West is sending armored fighting vehicles.

☆ Netflix's ad tier drove 13% of subscriptions in its first month, new survey shows
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-06 | by ( Lucia Moses | Ryan Joe | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

Netflix's new ad-supported tier accounted for 13% of subscribers in its first month, new Evercore research found. Evercore believes the ad tier is driving incremental subscriber growth for Netflix. Netflix's new ad-supported tier accounted for 13% of the streamer's subscribers in its first month, with about half being new or returning users to the streamer, according to new research from Evercore ISI. Netflix's ad tier entered a crowded field of streaming services, including ad-supported versions, from Disney's Hulu to Comcast's Peacock to Warner Bros. Netflix's ad tier was followed close behind Disney+ with Ads launching in December, and Warner plans to launch a combined Discovery+-HBO Max app in spring with an ad-supported tier.

☆ Ukrainian billionaire Zhevago to be released on bail pending French extradition hearing
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-05 | by ( Juliette Jabkhiro | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

[1/2] Police officers stand outside the room of the court of appeals after the arriving of the billionaire Kostyantyn Zhevago, in Chambery, France, January 5, 2023. REUTERS/Pierre AlbouyCHAMBERY, France, Jan 5 (Reuters) - A French court decided on Thursday to release Ukrainian billionaire Kostyantyn Zhevago on bail ahead of an extradition hearing on Jan. 19 on whether he should be sent to Ukraine to face embezzlement charges. Zhevago, a 48-year-old billionaire who controls London-listed iron pellet producer Ferrexpo (FXPO.L), was arrested in France in late December at Ukraine's request and had been detained since. The businessman, one of Ukraine's richest men, told the court he did nothing wrong and should not be extradited. Zhevago served in the Ukrainian parliament from 1998 to 2019.

☆ UK and France say no plans to follow Italy with Covid tests for China arrivals as EU plans response
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-29 | by ( Jenni Reid | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Carlos Barria | ReutersLONDON — The U.K. and France said Thursday morning they currently had no plans to reintroduce mandatory Covid-19 tests or additional requirements for travelers arriving into the country. It comes as several nations announced new measures in response to China's relaxation of Covid restrictions amid a suspected surge of infections but reduced domestic testing. On one Dec. 26 flight from China into Milan's Malpensa Airport, 52% of passengers tested positive for Covid, la Repubblica reported. But Italy's National Institute of Infectious Diseases reportedly called for an increase in testing for those arriving from China. The U.S. said from Jan. 5. all arrivals from mainland China, Hong Kong and Macau must supply a negative Covid test taken within two days of departure.

☆ French winter power supply risk cut to 'medium', says RTE
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-20 | by ( Forrest Crellin | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

Companies Electricite de France SA FollowPARIS, Dec 20 (Reuters) - The risk to French power supply from the start of January through the rest of winter has been reduced to 'medium' because of higher nuclear and hydropower availability as well as reduced demand from consumers, French grid operator RTE said on Tuesday. Nuclear power utility EDF (EDF.PA) has faced an unprecedented number of reactor outages this year owing to delayed maintenance and stress corrosion, reducing nuclear output to 30-year lows just as Russia's war in Ukraine hit Europe's energy supplies. Nuclear power availability topped 40 GW on Dec. 12, lifting supply to the top of the expected availability range, RTE said. The filling level of French gas stocks has dropped to about 85% after beginning the winter near full, which is higher than previous years, RTE said. There is no concern for the first part of winter thanks to high gas supply across the continent, but vigilance will be needed for the second half of winter and especially winter 2023-24, RTE added.

☆ France's Deschamps on cusp of World Cup history but happy to shun limelight
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-16 | by ( Rohith Nair | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

Of course, I'm proud and we all know there's a chance now to defend our title in the final," Deschamps said. Having captained France's 'golden generation' that won the 1998 World Cup and the 2000 European Championship, the 54-year-old has now nurtured another golden generation over the past decade. "He's just an amazing manager and he's so humble... For me he's the greatest French manager by miles!" ADAPTABILITYWhat has made Deschamps successful in tournaments, especially at the World Cup since 2018, is not sticking to a particular identity or philosophy which is often the defining feature of big teams. "Didier Deschamps has shown he's the best head coach in the world in the last 10 years."

☆ France copes with high power demand on nuclear supply ramp-up
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-12 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

Companies Electricite de France SA FollowPARIS, Dec 12 (Reuters) - France on Monday avoided a strain on its power grids in the face of rising demand as Paris recorded sub-zero temperature, thanks to a ramp-up in supply in nuclear as well as hydro power and strong imports from neighbouring countries. Demand rose above 80 gigawatts (GW) during peak morning hours for the first time this winter, according to a spokesperson for RTE, the country's transmission system operator. France's nuclear availability was able to supply above 40 GW as its plants returned to levels last seen in early March over the weekend. The French transmission system operator has pretty comfortable margins so far, Emeric de Vigan, vice president of power at data and analytics firm Kpler, said in a tweet. Nuclear operator EDF (EDF.PA) ramped up output at three nuclear reactors on Friday following repairs and said it hopes to start fixing stress corrosion issues at its Penly 2 reactor in mid-January.

☆ California Long Ruled U.S. Shipping. Importers Are Drifting East.
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-10 | by ( Paul Berger | Photographs David Walter Banks For The Wall Street Journal | ) www.wsj.com time to read: +13 min

Abercrombie & Fitch Co. is moving more merchandise through New York and New Jersey to avoid West Coast bottlenecks. It trailed its East Coast rival again in that measure during September and October, according to the Pacific Merchant Shipping Association and ports data. ”There are so many customers that got so screwed because they were entirely reliant on L.A. and Long Beach.”The logistical challenges of spreading imports along the East Coast and the Gulf Coast are massive. The shift in trade to the East Coast marks a return to where container ships originated. Then the U.S. began importing more goods from Europe, making an Atlantic Ocean crossing to various East Coast ports more critical.

☆ French farmer awarded 11,000 euros over Bayer pesticide inhalation
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-08 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

PARIS, Dec 8 (Reuters) - A French court has ordered Germany's Bayer (BAYGn.DE) to pay compensation of some 11,000 euros ($11,560) to a crop farmer for the accidental inhalation of a weedkiller, ending a 15-year legal battle, his lawyer and the company said on Thursday. "11,000 euros for so much sacrifice," the farmer, Paul Francois, told franceinfo radio. Francois had argued that the fumes he inhaled from the weedkiller Lasso, a product that was subsequently withdrawn from the French market, caused neurological problems, including memory loss, fainting and headaches. Bayer France said in a statement that the sum awarded to the farmer was less than 1% of what he had requested. The exact amount of the damages was 11,135 euros, the farmer's lawyer told Reuters.

"Queer Eye" host Tan France says he noticed four key money differences between Brits and Americans. France writes, "On the whole, if you have money in America, you buy stuff. Circling back to American car culture, France said he couldn't understand why Americans take out loans to buy fancy new cars, especially when their older models still work. Before joining the cast of "Queer Eye," France was a businessman looking for independent health insurance. France writes, "It's the best con, but it's perfectly legal."

☆ Cold weather could cause French power cuts next week
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-01 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Companies Electricite de France SA FollowPARIS, Dec 1 (Reuters) - Cold weather could lead to power cuts in France on Monday as delays to the restart of nuclear power following repair work leave supply lagging demand, analysts said. Nuclear power supply had been expected to reach around 40 gigawatts (GW) this week, but operator EDF's (EDF.PA) delay in restarting reactors meant it rose to only around 35 GW, leaving France more reliant on imports and gas-fired production. "If we remain at 35 GW, next week Monday could become quite tight: we expect the demand at otherwise seasonally normal levels, but 35 GW of nuclear would be too low to meet a possible demand peak at 73 GW," Gerl said. The current EDF schedule shows 3 GW of nuclear power returning to the grid next week, putting total capacity at 38 GW for the first cold spell of the peak demand winter season. Reuters Graphics Reuters GraphicsGrid operator RTE said on Thursday France may face "some days" this winter when there was too little electricity supply.

☆ Welders wanted: France steps up recruitment drive as nuclear crisis deepens
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-29 | by ( Benjamin Mallet | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +7 min

EDF estimates that France's nuclear industry needs to recruit between 10,000 and 15,000 workers a year over the next seven years. Despite relatively high unemployment, France's manufacturing, construction, engineering and IT industries complain they can't get the workers they need. These people work with molten metal at 1,500 degrees Celsius, and sometimes have to stand upside down," said one welder in the nuclear industry, who asked not to be identified. Before the war in Ukraine, successive administrations sought to reduce France's reliance on nuclear energy, not build new reactors, they say. For a long time, France was Europe's nuclear energy champion - and its biggest electricity exporter.

Amazon France said there had been no sign of disruption to operations so far. Two French union officials said they were not expecting a big turnout because the rising cost-of-living was driving employees to seek overtime. "As an employer, Amazon offers great pay, benefits and development opportunities - all in an attractive and safe working environment," a spokesperson for Amazon in Germany said in a statement. [1/6] French CGT union members demonstrate in front of the Amazon logistics center in Bretigny-sur-Orge, near Paris, as part of a global day of actions against Amazon on Black Friday, France, November 25, 2022. Workers at a warehouse in the western city of Koblenz were seen standing outside near a red-and-white banner that read "We're on strike" in German, French and English.

☆ Climate summit approves deal to fund "loss and damage"
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-20 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: 1 min

France sees risk of 1.5°C objective "dying" at Egypt conference, article with imageEnvironment category · November 19, 2022France said on Saturday that COP27 climate negotiations in Sharm-el-Sheik, Egypt, still had not produced an agreement capable of containing the rise in global temperatures at this stage.

☆ Air France raises 300 million euros with convertible bond issue
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-16 | by ( Silvia Aloisi | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

PARIS, Nov 16 (Reuters) - Air France-KLM on Wednesday raised just over 300 million euros ($312 million) by issuing subordinated bonds convertible into stock, seeking to strengthen its capital and pay back state aid but sending its shares plummeting. Air France said in February that it was considering options for raising of up to 4 billion euros of capital, including a rights issue and quasi-equity debt issues. The bonds, which can be exchanged into existing Air France shares as well as converted into new shares, were offered through a placement to qualified investors, the airline said. Major shareholder CMA CGM, a shipping company, participated in the issue pro rata to its 9% equity stake in the company, Air France said in a statement. "The company is not aware of any subscription intention from its other main shareholders," Air France said.

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