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☆ European markets set to open higher ahead of ECB decision later this week
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-03 | by ( Karen Gilchrist | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

European markets are poised to start the month higher Monday as investors look ahead to the European Central Bank's latest interest rate decision later this week. The U.K.'s FTSE 100 was last seen 63 points higher at 8,340, according to IG data, while Germany's DAX was up 173 points at 18,652. France's CAC was 62 points higher at 8,041and Italy's MIB was up 359 points at 34,893. The move would mark the first time the ECB has cut rates ahead of the U.S. Federal Reserve. U.S. stock futures also started the month in positive territory, coming off the back of a strong May in which all three major averages notched their sixth positive month in seven.

Persons: Germany's DAX, China's Organizations: Central, CAC, ECB, U.S . Federal Locations: Spain, France, Germany, Asia, Pacific

☆ Pharma giant GSK plunges 9% after U.S. court allows scientific testimony in Zantac lawsuits
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-03 | by ( Jenni Reid | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

Company logo of pharmaceutical company GlaxoSmithKline is seen at their Stevenage facility, Britain October 26, 2020. LONDON — Shares of British pharmaceuticals giant GSK plunged 9% Monday, after a U.S. court ruled that scientific evidence could be presented in a stack of lawsuits relating to the discontinued heartburn drug Zantac. The Delaware State Court late on Friday ruled that plaintiffs' expert witnesses could testify in the roughly 75,000 cases alleging the once-popular drug ranitidine — sold under the brand name Zantac in the U.S. — may cause cancer. The companies involved deny there is a scientific consensus that the drug can be linked to any later development of cancers. In a statement Friday, GSK said it disagreed with the latest Delaware ruling and would immediately seek an appeal.

Persons: ranitidine —, Brent Wisner, Wisner Baum, Zantac Organizations: GlaxoSmithKline, Stevenage, GSK, Delaware State Court, France's, Pfizer, Germany's Locations: Britain, Delaware, U.S, France's Sanofi

☆ Opinion: Trump is now in a club no one ever wants to be part of — convicted former leaders
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-02 | by ( Opinion Chris Good | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +12 min

The criminal trial and conviction of (mostly former) national leaders has happened in stable, mature democracies, just as it has in former dictatorships. The track record of convicted leaders shows just how risky it is to try to predict what will happen. In 2017, South Korea impeached and later criminally convicted now-former President Park Geun-hye in a bizarre corruption scandal involving the influence of a friend and confidante. After a scandal emerged involving the state oil company Petrobras, Lula was convicted in 2017 of corruption and money laundering. “Political leaders can choose how they will speak about these institutions.”

Persons: Chris Good, Donald Trump, —, Trump, Stormy Daniels, Cristina Fernández de Kirchner, Sebastian Kurz, ” Kurz, Park, “, Nicole Bibbins Sedaca, Nicolas Sarkozy, Bertrand Guay, Bibbins Sedaca, Jacques Chirac, ” Bibbins Sedaca, Sarkozy, Moammar Gaddhafi illicitly, Silvio Berlusconi, Yara Nardi, Berlusconi “, ”, Berlusconi, Matteo Salvini, Giorgia Meloni, Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, Nelson Almeida, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, Lula, Jair Bolsonaro, Oliver Stuenkel, Fundação Getulio Vargas, ” Stuenkel, Politicization, Stuenkel, didn’t, Lula “, Mark Peterson, Ariel Edwards, Levy, Lula —, Chirac, Trump’s Organizations: CNN, ABC News, Economist Intelligence Unit, Freedom House, Getty, Freedom, Reuters, Forza Italia, Five Star, AFP, Brazil, Petrobras, Bolsonaro, School of International Relations, Fundação, NEW, Manhattan Criminal, Trump, Twitter, Facebook Locations: The, Manhattan, Argentina, Austrian, South Korea, Washington, DC, France, Italy, Brazil, Paris, AFP, Moroccan, Milan, Trump, America, São Paulo

☆ I retired at 48 and decided to travel for six months with my husband. Two decades later, we are still traveling.
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-01 | by ( Louisa Rogers | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Read previewNot long after my 48th birthday, in August 1999, my husband Barry invited me out for a margarita at Compadre's, a Mexican restaurant near our home in Palo Alto. During our drink, he suggested we rent our house and travel for six months. Renting our Palo Alto home wasn't that simple; this was before the era of Airbnb and digital nomads. Our home was still rented when we returned to Palo Alto after ending our period abroad. Happily, we can write in Eureka, Guanajuato, in our camper van, or wherever in the world we happen to be.

Persons: —, Barry, margarita, we're, San Luis Potosí, we'll, We've, we've Organizations: Service, Business, Palo, UNESCO, Heritage, Palo Alto, Primera Plus, France's Hautes Alpes Locations: Compadre's, Mexican, Palo Alto, Silicon Valley, Mexico, Guanajuato, California, Eureka, Northern California, Oregon, Guanajuato's centro, San, British, Scotland, Catalonia, France's Hautes, Brittany, Czech Republic, Ireland, Colombia, Portland, Denver, Cuenca, Ecuador, we're

☆ France is aiming to become a global AI superpower — but not without help from U.S. Big Tech
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-31 | by ( Ryan Browne | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +6 min

AI everywhere at Viva TechAt Viva Tech, AI was everywhere. France boasts a strong AI research and development ecosystem, home to key facilities like the Facebook AI Research center from Meta and Google's AI research hub in Paris, as well as leading universities. He referred to H's mammoth funding round as an example of the momentum surrounding French AI right now. watch nowLevy said roughly 40% of the tech demos at Viva Tech were AI. He said that Google's recently introduced Gemma AI, a lightweight, open-source model, was developed heavily at the U.S. internet giant's Paris AI hub.

Persons: Emmanuel Macron, Yoan Valat, Eric Schmidt, Porte, Bruno Le Maire, CNBC's Arjun Kharpal, Le Maire, Etienne Grass, Capgemini, Imran Ghory, Ghory, CNBC's Andrew Ross Sorkin, Macron, Mistral, Yann LeCun, James Manyika, Google's, Maurice Levy, Karen Tso, Levy, Google's Manyika, Gemma AI Organizations: Afp, Getty, PARIS —, Viva Technology, Microsoft, Viva Tech, L'Oreal, Porte de, Facebook, CNBC, Blossom, Meta, Google, Paris, Groupe, U.S, Innovation Locations: Elysee, Paris, France, PARIS — France, China, Europe, Meta, French, U.S, Israel, Dealroom

☆ French Open: Alcohol banned from stands at Roland Garros by tournament director Amelie Mauresmo
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-30 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

Alexander Zverev of Germany in action against David Goffin of Belgium in the second round of the men's singles at Roland Garros on May 30, 2024 in Paris, France. The French Open has banned alcohol from the stands in a bid to clamp down on fan behavior at Roland Garros. The first week of the tournament has seen a raucous atmosphere and there was an incident on Wednesday when Belgian David Goffin claimed a spectator spat chewing gum at him during his five sets victory over France's Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard. Tournament director Amelie Mauresmo also said security would be improved and umpires will be instructed to be stricter with the crowd during the match. "The umpires are really going to be even more strict to further respect to the players and respect the game.

Persons: Alexander Zverev of, David Goffin of, Roland Garros, Belgian David Goffin, France's Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard, Iga Swiatek, Naomi Osaka, Amelie Mauresmo, Mauresmo, we're Organizations: Belgian Locations: Alexander Zverev of Germany, David Goffin of Belgium, Paris, France

☆ Ukraine war updates: Macron says Kyiv should be allowed to use Western weapons on Russian military sites; U.S. weighs further sanctions
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-29 | by ( Karen Gilchrist | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

Emmanuel Macron, France's president, during a news conference with Olaf Scholz, Germany's chancellor, not pictured, in Meseberg, Germany, on Tuesday, May 28, 2024. Ukraine should be allowed to use Western arms against Russian military sites used to target Ukraine, French President Emmanuel Macron said late Tuesday, bowing to ongoing requests from Kyiv. "How can we explain to Ukraine that they need to protect their cities . Macron was joined by German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, who agreed Ukraine should be allowed to defend its territory as long as it respected the conditions of the weapons suppliers. Russian President Vladimir Putin warned of serious consequences if Russia is struck with Western weapons.

Persons: Emmanuel Macron, Olaf Scholz, Germany's, Macron, Vladimir Putin, Volodymyr Zelenskyy's Organizations: Russian, White, Reuters Locations: Meseberg, Germany, Ukraine, Kyiv, Russian, Russia, Europe, Spain, Portugal, Belgium, U.S, China

☆ A major NATO country says Ukraine should be allowed to use Western weapons on targets inside Russia, on one condition
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-29 | by ( Thibault Spirlet | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +1 min

France's president said Ukraine should be allowed to use Western weapons to hit targets in Russia. Other Western leaders have urged allies to lift the ban on Ukraine using their weapons in Russia. AdvertisementFrench President Emmanuel Macron said Ukraine should be allowed to use weapons supplied by its Western allies to target positions inside Russia — but on one condition. Macron said at a press conference on Tuesday that Ukraine should be able to target military bases in Russia that are directly used to launch attacks on Ukraine. "We think that we should allow them to neutralize the military sites from which the missiles are fired and, basically, the military sites from which Ukraine is attacked," he told reporters.

Persons: Emmanuel Macron, —, Macron Organizations: Service, Business Locations: Ukraine, Russia

☆ European stocks close higher; UK and U.S. markets closed
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-27 | by ( Katrina Bishop | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

European markets closed slightly higher on Monday as traders searched for direction on a quiet day for markets. U.K. markets are closed for the late May bank holiday, while stateside, U.S. markets are shut for Memorial Day. It comes as speculation over when interest rates might start to come down dominates the news flow once again. On Monday, two key European Central Bank figures threw their weight behind the prospect of a June interest rate cut. It indicates that the European Central Bank is going to act in June — sooner than the U.S. Federal Reserve, which usually leads the way in monetary policy decisions.

Persons: Germany's Dax, Olli Rehn, Philip Lane, Goldman Sachs Organizations: CAC, European Central Bank, ECB, Financial Times, U.S . Federal Reserve, Federal Locations: U.S

"We need much more European big players, and I think Mistral AI can be one of them," Macron said of France's leading AI company. Macron also praised H, the newly launched French AI startup that announced this week it had raised a massive $220 million from its initial round of financing. He compared allowing American tech giants to operate under U.S. regulations while in Europe, to allowing a French bank in the United States to ignore American banking regulations. When it comes to China, however, Macron implied that he thought some U.S. tech regulations had gone too far. "Look, I think China is a competitor when you speak about trade, innovation and economy.

Persons: Emmanuel Macron, Macron, CNBC's Andrew Ross Sorkin Organizations: France —, Microsoft, CNBC, European, EU Artificial Intelligence, European Union, Google, TikTok Locations: PARIS, France, France — Europe, China, United States, U.S, Paris, Mistral, Europe, Washington, Brussels

☆ AI will change jobs, but the growth is more important, France's digital affairs minister says
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-23 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: 1 min

Share Share Article via Facebook Share Article via Twitter Share Article via LinkedIn Share Article via EmailAI will change jobs, but the growth is more important, France's digital affairs minister saysMarina Ferrari, France's secretary of state for digital affairs, discusses the potential risks and benefits of artificial intelligence on a panel with CNBC's Karen Tso at VivaTech in Paris.

Persons: Marina Ferrari, Karen Tso Locations: VivaTech, Paris

☆ Neom axed a $1.5B project to make water for the city, report says — another blow to its grand ambition
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-22 | by ( Tom Porter | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +1 min

Neom canceled a desalination project worth $1.5 billion, according to a report. Enowa, a Neom subsidiary, told Meed it's water requirements had evolved. download the app Email address Sign up By clicking “Sign Up”, you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy . AdvertisementA project to build a $1.5 billion water desalination plant in the Saudi Arabian desert city of Neom appears to have been scrapped. A consortium made up of Neom subsidiary Enowa, Japan's Itochu, and France's Veolia had agreed to develop the plant in December 2022.

Persons: Neom, Meed, —, Japan's Itochu Organizations: Service, Veolia, Business Locations: Saudi Arabia, Saudi, Neom

☆ Australia, New Zealand to send evacuation flights to New Caledonia amid unrest
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-21 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

Australia and New Zealand said they will send government planes to New Caledonia on Tuesday to evacuate nationals from the French territory which has experienced a week of deadly riots, sparked by electoral changes by the French government in Paris. France's High Commission in New Caledonia said on Tuesday the airport remains closed for commercial flights, and it will deploy the military to protect public buildings. There were around 3,200 people waiting to leave or enter New Caledonia as commercial flights were cancelled due to the unrest that broke out last week, the local government has said. New Zealand, French and Australian foreign ministers held a call on Monday evening, after New Zealand and Australia said they were waiting for clearance from French authorities to send defense aircraft to evacuate tourists. A meeting of France's defense council later agreed for arrangements to allow tourists to return home.

Persons: Emmanuel Macron Organizations: Commission, New Locations: New Caledonia, Elysee, Paris, Australia, New Zealand, France's, France, Noumea

☆ New Caledonia riots: Australia, New Zealand send evacuation flights after week of deadly violence
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-20 | by ( ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

Sydney/Wellington —Australia and New Zealand said they will send government planes to New Caledonia on Tuesday to evacuate nationals from the French territory which has experienced a week of deadly riots, sparked by electoral changes by the French government in Paris. France’s High Commission in New Caledonia said on Tuesday the airport remains closed for commercial flights, and it will deploy the military to protect public buildings. There were around 3,200 people waiting to leave or enter New Caledonia as commercial flights were canceled due to the unrest that broke out last week, the local government has said. Theo Rouby/AFP/Getty ImagesNew Zealand, French and Australian foreign ministers held a call on Monday evening, after New Zealand and Australia said they were waiting for clearance from French authorities to send defense aircraft to evacuate tourists. “New Zealanders in New Caledonia have faced a challenging few days – and bringing them home has been an urgent priority for the government,” New Zealand Foreign Minister Winston Peters said.

Persons: Theo Rouby, Winston Peters, “, Penny Wong Organizations: Sydney, Wellington —, Commission, Getty, New, ” New Zealand Foreign, Australia’s Locations: Wellington, Wellington — Australia, New Zealand, New Caledonia, Paris, France’s, France, Normandy, Noumea, AFP, Zealand, Australia, “, Zealanders, Nouméa, ”

☆ No walk-ins allowed: What to know when touring the world’s best wine regions
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-17 | by ( Penny Sadler | Erica Lamberg | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +6 min

Wine touring in the Old WorldFrance Of France's 11 wine regions, Bordeaux, Burgundy (or Bourgogne) and Champagne are the most eminent. The United States California is renowned for wine tasting, though almost every state in the continental U.S. has a wine region or wine tourism area. Visitors can drive between vineyards, bike the Napa Valley Wine Trail, or book a ride on the vintage Napa Valley Wine Train. Barossa is one of the older wine regions in Australia, with some 200 cellar doors within two hours of Adelaide. South Africa South Africa may be considered a new world wine region, but Constantia, a top destination for wine tasting, is centuries old.

Persons: meunier, Chateau Angelus, Viniv Bordeaux, Georges Gobet, Montagne, Kim Kulish, Margaret River, Wine, Joey Estate, River, Groot Organizations: Michelin, Viniv, Afp, Getty, UNESCO, Heritage, Montagne de Reims, Travelers, United, Wine, Sonoma, Australia Wine, Bloomberg Locations: Europe, United States, Australia, South Africa, Bordeaux, Burgundy, Bourgogne, Vin, Chateau, Saint Emilion, France, Champagne, Italy Tuscany, Italy, Tuscany, Chianti, Greve, Alba, Piedmont, United States California, Napa Valley, Napa, Texas, Washington , Oregon, Virginia, New York, Yarra, Victoria, Barossa, Adelaide, Perth, Yarra Valley, Melbourne, South Africa South Africa, Constantia, Groot Constantia, South, Cape Town

☆ Four dead in New Caledonia riots as France declares state of emergency
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-16 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

France declared a state of emergency on the Pacific island of New Caledonia on Wednesday after three young indigenous Kanak and a police official were killed in riots over electoral reform. The state of emergency, which entered into force at 5 a.m. local time (1800 GMT), gives authorities additional powers to ban gatherings and forbid people from moving around the French-ruled island. Police reinforcements adding 500 officers to the 1,800 usually present on the island, have been sent after rioters torched vehicles and businesses and looted stores. "No violence will be tolerated," said Prime Minister Gabriel Attal, adding that the state of emergency "will allow us to roll out massive means to restore order." He later signed a decree declaring a state of emergency that will last for 12 days and announced that French soldiers would be used to secure New Caledonia's main port and airport.

Persons: Gabriel Attal Organizations: French Gendarmerie, Police, Authorities Locations: French, Tir, Noumea, New Caledonia, France, Kanak, Paris

☆ French people are being told to 'drive like a woman' to reduce traffic deaths
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-15 | by ( Joshua Zitser | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +1 min

A French road safety group is telling people to "drive like a woman" to cut fatalities. The campaign aims to debunk the "misogynistic" stereotype that men are better drivers than women. The campaign notes that, in France, 84% of fatal road accidents are caused by men. AdvertisementA French road safety association is urging people to "drive like a woman" to reduce the number of traffic deaths. Drawing on data from France's National Interministerial Road Safety Observatory 2022-2023, the campaign noted that 84% of fatal accidents are caused by men.

Persons: — Organizations: Service, France's, Business Locations: France

☆ Microsoft and Amazon to invest $5.6 billion into France as Macron courts tech giants
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-13 | by ( Ryan Browne | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

Microsoft said in a statement Monday that it's committing 4 billion euros ($4.3 billion) toward expanding its cloud and AI infrastructure in France, in addition to funding AI skilling and support for France's technology industry. The announcement was made during the "Choose France" summit, a gathering dedicated to encouraging foreign investment in France. Amazon, meanwhile, made a commitment of its own to invest 1.2 billion euros in France. Collectively, the commitments from Microsoft and Amazon to France amount to $5.6 billion of funding. In total, France reportedly bagged a record 15 billion euros of investment commitments from foreign companies at an annual "Choose France" summit on Monday.

Persons: it's, ”, Brad Smith, “, —, Frederic Duval, Duval, Emmanuel Macron, Macron, Redmond Organizations: Microsoft, Amazon, Facebook, FAIR, Mistral Locations: Athens, Greece, France, French, Mulhouse, Amazon's, Paris, Washington, Mistral

☆ A US ally is forging ties with China's air force but probably won't get its J-20 stealth fighter
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-08 | by ( Paul Iddon | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +7 min

The UAE is boosting ties with China's air force. Major General Saleh Mohammed bin Mejren Al Ameri, commander of the UAE's Joint Operations, met with the commander of China's People's Liberation Army Air Force on April 23 to promote closer air force cooperation. Another even speculated Abu Dhabi may eventually seek China's premier stealth fighter: the fifth-generation J-20 Mighty Dragon. I don't see this relationship developing into something similar to what the UAE Air Force has with France or even Russia anytime soon." Furthermore, the Emirati air force fighter fleet is already large for such a small country, making it unlikely the L-15s will serve any combat role.

Persons: —, General Saleh Mohammed bin Mejren Al Ameri, China's, Abu Dhabi, Abu, Abu Dhabi's, Ahmed Aboudouh, Aboudouh, Washington's hesitance, Fred Tanneau, Sebastien Roblin, Roblin, haven't, Russia's Su, Robin Organizations: Service, United, Liberation Army Air Force, Dassault Rafales, Chatham House, China Studies Unit, Emirates Policy Center, Rafale, Dassault Aviation, UAE Air Force, UAE, China hasn't, FC, Korea's KF, UAE . The Emirates, KF Locations: UAE, Washington, Beijing, United Arab Emirates, China, United States, Abu Dhabi, UAE's, France, Abu, Russia, Saudi, Pakistan, Ukraine

☆ Ukraine is getting a prototype artillery shell that can strike 3 times as far as regular rounds: report
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-08 | by ( Mia Jankowicz | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Germany plans to send Ukraine a prototype artillery shell that can travel 62 miles, Handelsblatt reported. AdvertisementGermany is gearing up to send Ukraine a prototype artillery shell that can travel up to 62 miles, German newspaper Handelsblatt reported. That would more than triple the reach of the conventional 155 mm artillery rounds Ukraine is heavily reliant on, depending on what system is used to fire it. It's not clear what the prototype munition actually is. Earlier this year, Germany announced a $5.3 million military aid package for Ukraine, including 10,000 artillery rounds from its own stocks, Politico reported.

Persons: They'd, —, It's, Handelsblatt, Russia's, Armin Papperger, Germany's, Olaf Scholz, Scholz Organizations: Service, Associated Press, Rheinmetall, Defense, Politico Locations: Germany, Ukraine, Berlin

☆ French cognac makers surge as Macron hints at cooling of China trade dispute
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-07 | by ( Sophie Kiderlin | In | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

French President Emmanuel Macron (R) shakes hands with Chinese President Xi Jinping after delivering a joint statement at the Elysee Palace, as part of the Chinese president's two-day state visit in France, in Paris on May 6, 2024. The French president his Chinese counterpart for a state visit on May 6, 2024, seeking to persuade the Chinese leader to shift positions over Russia's invasion of Ukraine and also imbalances in global trade. (Photo by Sarah Meyssonnier / POOL / AFP) (Photo by SARAH MEYSSONNIER/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)Shares of several French cognac makers rallied on Tuesday after France's President Emmanuel Macron suggested that trade tensions between China and the European Union, which could impact the drinks makers, may ease. France's Macron on Monday addressed the ongoing trade dispute with Chinese President Xi Jinping and gifted him a top-range bottle of French cognac which reportedly retails at over $3,200. "I thank the president for his open attitude regarding provisional measures on cognac and for his wish not to implement them," Macron said in a press conference on Monday.

Persons: Emmanuel Macron, Xi Jinping, Sarah Meyssonnier, SARAH MEYSSONNIER, Pernod Ricard, Remy Cointreau, France's Macron, Macron Organizations: Getty, European Union Locations: France, Paris, Ukraine, China, Europe

☆ China's Xi backs Macron call for global Olympic truce
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-07 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

Emmanuel Macron, France's president, right, greets Xi Jinping, China's president, ahead of the state dinner marking the visit at the Elysee Palace in Paris, France, on Monday, May 6, 2024. Xi called on France to help fend off a "new Cold War" as the EU increasingly aligns with U.S. concerns over security risks and trade tensions. China's President Xi Jingping on Monday called for a global truce during the Olympic Games in Paris this summer after the French president and the head of the European Commission urged him to use his influence on Russia to end its war in Ukraine. As member of the United Nations Security Council and as a responsible country, China urges with France for a truce in the world during the Paris Olympic games," Xi said, speaking through an interpreter alongside Macron during a joint statement. Russia has previously been lukewarm about a truce saying Ukraine might use it as an opportunity to regroup and rearm.

Persons: Emmanuel Macron, Xi Jinping, Xi, Xi Jingping, Ursula von der, Macron, Vladimir Putin, Putin's Organizations: Olympic Games, European Commission, United Nations Security Council, Paris Olympic, Paris, Games, Paralympic Games Locations: Paris, France, EU, Russia, Ukraine, Europe, China, Moscow, Russian, Switzerland

☆ Putin orders tactical nuclear weapon drills to deter the West
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-06 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +5 min

Russia's defense ministry said it would hold military drills including practice for the preparation and deployment for use of non-strategic nuclear weapons. "During the exercise, a set of measures will be carried out to practice the issues of preparation and use of non-strategic nuclear weapons," the ministry said. Russia and the United States are by far the world's biggest nuclear powers, holding more than 10,600 of the world's 12,100 nuclear warheads. No power has used nuclear weapons in war since the United States unleashed the first atomic bomb attacks on the Japanese cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki in 1945. Major nuclear powers routinely check their nuclear weapons but very rarely publicly link such exercises to specific perceived threats in the way that Russia has.

Persons: Vladimir Putin, Alexey Danichev, Natalia Kolesnikova, Joe Biden, Andriy Yusov, Sergei Shoigu, Emmanuel Macron, Volodymyr Zelensky, Ludovic Marin, David Cameron, Dmitry Peskov, Putin, Abrams, Sean Gallup Organizations: Federal Assembly's Council, Reuters, Missile, Southern Military District, Military, Victory Day, Afp, Getty, Russian Federation, Federation of American Scientists, CNN, Ukraine, Kremlin, U.S . Senate, AFP, British, NATO, U.S . Army, British Amphibious Engineer Battalion Locations: Saint Petersburg, Russia, Reuters Russia, Moscow, France, Britain, United States, Ukraine, U.S, China, Hiroshima, Nagasaki, Russian, Paris, London, Soviet Union, Gniew, Poland

☆ France's Macron set to press visiting Xi on trade, Ukraine
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-05 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

Chinas President Xi Jinping (L) and his French counterpart Emmanuel Macron attend the official welcoming ceremony in Beijing on April 6, 2023. China's President Xi Jinping heads to Paris on Sunday for a rare visit, with his French counterpart Emmanuel Macron set to press him to reduce trade imbalances and try to convince him to use his influence on Russia over the war in Ukraine. Neither aim will be easily fulfilled during Xi's two-day stay in France, where he arrives at a time of growing trade tensions between Europe and China. His official meetings will include joint talks with Macron and European Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz will not join Macron and Xi in Paris due to prior commitments, sources said.

Persons: Xi Jinping, Emmanuel Macron, Xi, Ursula von der, Olaf Scholz, Noah Barkin Organizations: China's, European Union, EU, Macron, European Commission Locations: Beijing, Paris, Russia, Ukraine, France, Europe, China, European, Germany, German

☆ Societe Generale's investment bank limits first-quarter profit plunge
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-03 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

French bank Societe Generale reported a smaller-than-expected 22% slide in first-quarter net income on Friday, as profits on equity derivative sales offset more weakness at its retail bank and in fixed-income trading. France's third-biggest listed lender, whose CEO Slawomir Krupa is seeking to end several years of lackluster performance and trim costs, said group net income over the first three months of the year was 680 million euros ($729.30 million). Sales slipped 0.4% to 6.65 billion euros, above the 6.46 billion-euro analyst average estimate. SocGen's investment banking division saw its earnings jump 26.4% to 690 million euros, beating forecasts, while revenues weakened 5.1% to 2.62 billion euros for the quarter. Equity derivatives sales, an area where SocGen has historically been strong, did well, the bank said, as did corporate financing services and its advisory business.

Persons: Slawomir Krupa Organizations: Societe Generale, Equity

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