Page 25 - France

Alstom Q3 sales miss forecast, still weighing capital increase to cut debt

On Wednesday, Alstom said it was still studying the feasibility and potential size of a share sale

France fines Amazon $35 mn for 'excessively intrusive' monitoring of staff

France's privacy watchdog said on Tuesday that it slapped Amazon's French warehouse business with a 32 million euro fine (USD 35 million) for using an excessively intrusive sytem to monitor worker performance and activity. The French Data Protection Authority, also known by its acronym CNIL, said the system allowed managers at Amazon France Logistique to track employees so closely that it resulted in multiple breaches of the European Union's stringent privacy rules, called the General Data Protection Regulation. We strongly disagree with the CNIL's conclusions, which are factually incorrect, and we reserve the right to file an appeal," Amazon said. "Warehouse management systems are industry standard and are necessary for ensuring the safety, quality and efficiency of operations and to track the storage of inventory and processing of packages on time and in line with customer expectations. The watchdog's investigation focused on Amazon employees' use of handheld barcode scanners to

Pentagon holds meeting to raise funds for supply of weapons to Ukraine

For the first time since Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin established the international group to support Ukraine in April 2022, the United States will host the monthly gathering of about 50 countries out of money, unable to send the ammunition and missiles that Ukraine needs to fend off Russia. While waiting for Congress to pass a budget and potentially approve more money for Ukraine's fight, the US will be looking to allies to keep bridging the gap. Tuesday's meeting will focus on longer-term needs, deputy Pentagon press secretary Sabrina Singh told reporters on Monday. Even though we aren't able to provide our security assistance right now, our partners are continuing to do that, Singh said. The meeting will be virtual because Austin is still recuperating at home from complications of treatment for prostate cancer. The Pentagon announced its last security assistance for Ukraine on December 27, a USD 250 million package that included 155 mm rounds, Stinger anti-aircraft missiles an

Steiner AG sells its construction arm to Demathieu Bard for Rs 928 cr

Steiner AG, the wholly-owned subsidiary of Hindustan Construction Company (HCC), on Friday said it has concluded the sale of its construction business subsidiary, Steiner Construction SA, to Demathieu Bard for approximately CHF 98 million (Rs 928 crore). Demathieu Bard is an international construction group headquartered in France. HCC in a statement said for 2022-23, Steiner Construction posted a turnover of CHF 347 million (Rs 3,076 crore) and was operating 30 projects. Demathieu Bard Group Managing Director Stphane Monceaux said the acquisition of Steiner Construction SA is a major milestone for the Demathieu Bard Group. "We are strengthening our international presence and consolidating our position as a benchmark company in the construction sector. Demathieu Bard makes its biggest acquisition ever with the integration of Steiner Construction SA," he said. Zurich-headquartered Steiner AG, which was founded in 1915, is a real estate service provider with a focus on project ...

France ramps up weapons production for Ukraine, says Russia testing West

French manufacturers have reduced the manufacturing times for some of the weapons systems they supply to Ukraine by half or more, as France increasingly switches away from its previous policy of dipping into its own military stocks to support the war effort against Russia's invasion, France's defense minister said in an interview published on Thursday. The logic of ceding materiel taken from the armies' stocks is reaching its end, the minister, Sbastien Lecornu, said in the interview with Le Parisien. From now on, the solution is to directly connect French defense industries with the Ukrainian army. He cited the Caesar self-propelled 155 mm howitzer, made in France by Nexter, as an example of how French defense contractors are adopting a war footing. Caesars are among an array of Western-supplied artillery systems that have given Ukrainian gun crews an edge, especially when paired with high-precision munitions, against Russian artillery batteries using older Soviet-designed ...

TMS Ep609: Tata Group, $100bn agri-export, Tata Motors stock, Gabriel Attal

How is Tata Group reinventing itself? Can India touch $100 billion in farm exports by 2030? Will Tata Motors' rally hit a speed breaker? Why is France's new PM in the news? All answers here

Israel-Hamas war: Qatar, France send medicine for hostages in Gaza

A shipment of medicine for dozens of hostages held by Hamas was en route to Gaza on Wednesday after France and Qatar mediated the first agreement between Israel and the militant group since a weeklong cease-fire broke down in November. The medicines will be shipped through Egypt and delivered to the International Committee of the Red Cross, which will then hand them over to Hamas. Qatar said the deal also includes the delivery of additional medicine and humanitarian aid to Palestinians in the besieged coastal enclave. The deal came more than 100 days into a conflict that shows no sign of ending and which has sparked tensions across the Middle East, with a dizzying array of strikes and counterstrikes in recent days from northern Iraq to the Red Sea and from southern Lebanon to Pakistan. In Gaza, Palestinian militants are still putting up resistance across the narrow coastal strip in the face of one of the deadliest military campaigns in recent history. Some 85 per cent of the ...

Macron seeks to refresh his presidency, says country has 'aces' to succeed

President Emmanuel Macron used a prime-time news conference ON Tuesday to lay out broad plans to strengthen and better prepare France for global crises, saying the country has "all the aces to succeed". The press conference was Macron's latest effort to reinvigorate his presidency after a series of bruising domestic battles, notably about France's retirement age and how to better control immigration, and riots last year that swept hundreds of cities, towns and villages after the fatal police shooting of a teenager. Now, Macron is hoping to hit reset and make a fresh start in a year when France will be in the global spotlight as host of the Summer Olympics in Paris. Last week, Macron installed a new prime minister, France's youngest ever, and new ministers -- also part of a renewed drive by Macron to infuse his leadership with renewed energy. On Tuesday night, the new Prime Minister Gabriel Attal (34) and Cabinet members looked on, seated together to one side, as Macron held court in

From the US to France: Here's how the world is celebrating Ram temple

From the United States to France and Australia, festivities to mark the historic occasion have been arranged all across the world

Who is Gabriel Attal, France's youngest and first openly gay PM

On 9th January, French President Emmanuel Macron appointed Gabriel Attal, aged 34, as the new Prime Minister, making him the youngest to ever hold the position. Watch the video to learn more.

LIVE: UP declares Jan 22 as dry day; schools, colleges to remain close

Catch all the latest updates from around the world here

French PM Elisabeth Borne resigns amid political turmoil over Macron's immigration law

French Prime Minister Elisabeth Borne resigned on Monday, ahead of the European parliament elections and Paris Olympics, as President Macron seeks new momentum for his second term.

Meet Gabriel Attal, France's youngest & first openly gay prime minister

Gabriel Attal will be the youngest in modern French history, as well as the first openly gay man to hold the position

Gabriel Attal becomes France's youngest PM as Macron shakes up govt

Gabriel Attal was named on Tuesday as France's youngest-ever prime minister, as President Emmanuel Macron seeks a fresh start for the rest of his term amid growing political pressure from the far right. Macron's office announced the appointment in a statement. Attal, 34, rose to prominence as the government spokesman and education minister. He is France's first openly gay prime minister. His predecessor Elisabeth Borne resigned Monday following recent political turmoil over an immigration law that strengthens the government's ability to deport foreigners. Macron, a 46-year-old centrist whose term ends in 2027, is to name a government in the coming days.

French PM Borne resigns following recent political turmoil over immigration

French Prime Minister Elisabeth Borne resigned on Monday following recent political turmoil over a new immigration law, paving the way for President Emmanuel Macron to seek fresh momentum by appointing a new government in coming days. The shakeup was widely seen as an attempt by the 46-year-old centrist Macron to head off a looming lame-duck status. Macron's term is to end in 2027, and he won't be able to run again for president in line with the French Constitution. In her resignation letter, Borne suggested she resigned at Macron's request, citing the president's will to appoint a new prime minister. Borne's resignation followed the passage late last month of contentious immigration legislation backed by Macron aimed at strengthening the government's ability to deport some foreigners, among other measures. Macron's centrist alliance was able to pass the measure only after making a deal with the conservative Republicans party, which many observers saw as the government's shift to t

France sets up an exclusive Country Pavilion at TNGIM 2024 to boost ties

France has set up an exclusive country pavilion at the third edition of the Tamil Nadu Global Investors Meet, a two-day event from January 7, which is aimed at fostering economic ties with India, an official release on Saturday said. The Consulate of France in Puducherry and Chennai and the Indo-French Chamber of Commerce and Industry announced that France is one of the country partners for the event and has set up an exclusive France Country Pavilion at the Tamil Nadu Global Investors Meet 2024. "This significant initiative aims to foster economic ties between India and France while showcasing the prowess of French companies in Tamil Nadu, a region with long-standing historic, cultural, and business significance," an official release said. France has partnered with the Tamil Nadu government since the maiden GIM in 2015 which was held under the late Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa and again in the second edition in 2019 when 'Edappadi' K Palaniswami of the AIADMK was the chief ...

CID records statements of 66 passengers of flight sent back from France

The statements of all 66 passengers from Gujarat on the Nicaragua-bound flight that was sent back to India by France have been recorded as part of the state CID's probe into alleged human trafficking, and an FIR will be lodged soon, an official said on Saturday. The flight operated by Romanian charter company Legend Airlines had landed at Vatry near Paris on December 21 after which French authorities intervened to probe a human trafficking angle. The flight, with 276 passengers, landed in Mumbai on December 26. While the flight that landed in France had 303 Indian passengers, 27 sought asylum in the European nation and stayed back. Speaking about the probe, Sanjay Kharat, Superintendent of Police, CID-Crime and Railways, who is investigating the case, said details of 15 immigration agents suspected to be involved in the case have been gathered. "There were 66 persons from Gujarat on board. The CID Crime has recorded their statements. They are now back in their native villages in th

Carrefour says it will not sell PepsiCo products due to price hikes

Carrefour is telling customers it will no longer sell PepsiCo products like Pepsi, Lay's crisps and 7up because they had become too costly

Most passengers back, consular help will be given to those in France: MEA

Bagchi noted that the chartered flight was heading from UAE to Nicaragua. He said that the cases are being dealt with by French authorities as per their local laws

Push to safeguard Paris Olympics promises of jobs, new starts after riots

With a name that doesn't ring old-school French like Jean, Pierre or Jacques, and a home address in a tough suburb of Paris where riots flared, Salah Benkadmir is discovering how hard it can be to make prospective employers in France see beyond their prejudices. Despite having a high school diploma in sales and work experience as a vendor on his resume, the 19-year-old job seeker says that when he sends it to stores making hires, often no one calls him back. I feel like I've got a label stuck to me. It is very unpleasant," he says. But with the Olympic Games soon to hit Paris, Benkadmir thinks his fortunes may be about to improve. Organizers urgently need thousands of security guards to help keep athletes and spectators safe and reduce the likelihood of another deadly extremist attack in the French capital. Demand for people at checkpoints, to scan tickets and help manage crowds is so great that France's state employment agency is offering free and expedited security guard training