France Financial News

By Lisa Richwine and Dawn Chmielewski

The digital asset ecosystem in Europe expands as institutions broaden their services to decentralized finance (DeFi) amid market turmoil.

Ridley Scott's forthcoming epic film, 'Napoleon', was unveiled on Wednesday. The second trailer was released about a month before its scheduled theatrical premiere in November.

By Sophie Yu and Brenda Goh

Bengaluru's deputy chief minister DK Shivakumar has now proposed the construction of a 250-meter tall skydeck in the city. As per a TOI report, if approved, this skydeck will become the tallest viewing tower in India. On Tuesday, Shivakumar, who is also the Bengaluru development minister, discussed the project's financial feasibility and land requirements.

Qatar has agreed to supply British firm Shell with natural gas for 27 years, the Gulf emirate's state-owned energy company announced on Wednesday. Since Moscow's invasion of Ukraine last year, European countries have scrambled to replace lost deliveries of natural gas from Russia. Qatar will supply 3.5 million tonnes of gas a year under the deal, QatarEnergy said, following two agreements with Shell for a share of the Gulf state's huge North Field gas expansion project. «We are delighted to sign these two long-term LNG sale and purchase agreements with Shell that will further enhance our decades-long relationship and strategic partnership in Qatar and around the world,» Qatari Energy Minister Saad al-Kaabi said. «These agreements reaffirm Qatar's commitment to help meeting Europe's energy demands and bolstering its energy security with a source known for its superior economic and environmental qualities,» he added, In October last year, Shell inked a deal with QatarEnergy for a 9.4 percent stake in Qatar's North Field South project, the second phase in the expansion of the world's largest gas field, which extends under the Gulf into Iranian territory. In July the same year it also agreed to a 6.25 percent share in the first phase of the expansion, North Field East. Deliveries of the liquefied natural gas (LNG) to Rotterdam are expected to begin in 2026. The deal with Shell is equal in length to an agreement with France's TotalEnergies announced earlier this month for a 27-year supply of natural gas. Under its North Field expansion, Qatar is set to raise its output of liquified natural gas (LNG) by 60 percent or more to 126 million tonnes a year by 2027. The main market for Qatari gas has traditionally been

ABB matched forecasts with its third-quarter operating profit on Wednesday and dampened expectations for the fourth quarter while reporting continued decline in orders from China. The maker of industrial drives and motors posted a 13% increase in its operational earnings before interest, tax and amortisation (EBITA) to $1.4 billion during the three months to Sept. 30, in line with a company-gathered consensus of forecasts. Revenues at the company, which competes with Germany's Siemens and France's Schneider Electric rose 8% on a comparable basis to $8 billion, slightly below analysts' forecast for $8.1 billion. ABB reported net income of $882 million, below the $919 million consensus forecast. ABB, a big supplier to industry, is seen as a bellwether for the broader global economy, with its products being used in ships, ports, factories and transport systems. The group said its order intake fell 2% during the quarter with double-digit growth in the United States, its biggest market, partially helping to offset a decline in China, ABB's second-largest market. «Orders in China declined at a low single-digit comparable growth rate particularly hampered by weakness in robotics and construction demand,» Chief Executive Bjorn Rosengren said in a statement. ABB said it anticipated low- to mid-single digit comparable revenue growth in the fourth quarter.

United States authorized non-essential personnel and their families to leave their embassy near Beirut on Tuesday, citing the unpredictable security situation in Lebanon due to the Israel-Hamas war. The State Department also raised its travel advisory for Lebanon from level three, issued in July, to the highest available level four, as it told Americans to avoid the country. «Do not travel to Lebanon due to the unpredictable security situation related to rocket, missile, and artillery exchanges between Israel and Hezbollah or other armed militant factions,» the State Department said in a statement Tuesday. Hamas launched a massive assault against Israel on October 7, shooting, stabbing and burning to death more than 1,400 people, most of them civilians. Reeling from the worst attack in its history, Israel launched a wave of retaliatory air strikes against the Gaza Strip, killing about 3,000 people, mostly civilians. Lebanon-based Hezbollah, which like Hamas is backed by Iran, has since been involved in a series of tit-for-tat incidents along the south Lebanese border with Israel. After a blast ripped through a Gaza hospital on Tuesday, killing hundreds, Hezbollah called for a «day of rage.» Israel and Palestinians have traded blame for the blast, though neither's claim could be independently verified. Following Hezbollah's call, hundreds of demonstrators scuffled Tuesday night with Lebanese security forces outside the US embassy in the Beirut suburb of Awkar, where protesters hurled stones and set a building on fire, according to AFP correspondents. Hundreds also gathered at the French embassy in Beirut, raising Hezbollah flags and also hurling stones which piled up at the embassy's main entrance. Palestinian

Also Read: Nepal engulfed in China's debt trap over Pokhara airport deal: Report Putin, a participant in previous Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) summits, led a prominent delegation from Moscow to the event. He emphasized the potential for enhancing trade between the East and West.

Gaza is not legal and is calling the situation “absolutely unacceptable.”Trudeau was responding to unfolding reports coming out of Gaza, where the Hamas-run Gaza Health Ministry said that an Israeli airstrike hit a hospital in Gaza City, killing hundreds of Palestinians, including people using the hospital as shelter.A spokesman for the Israeli military said on X, formerly known as Twitter, that the strike did not come from them.“From the analysis of the operational systems of the IDF, an enemy rocket barrage was carried out towards Israel, which passed through the vicinity of the hospital when it was hit,” the statement said. “According to intelligence information, from several sources we have, the Islamic Jihad terrorist organization is responsible for the failed shooting that hit the hospital.”Trudeau said in French, speaking to reporters on his way into the House of Commons, that “it’s not legal” to bomb a hospital.Trudeau has repeatedly said that wars have international rules that must be followed, and says Canada is working with allies to get a humanitarian corridor established so supplies can be brought into Gaza.Aid organizations are warning that the territory is near collapse, and Trudeau told reporters that hitting a hospital is “not acceptable.”The Health Ministry run by Hamas said at least 500 people had been killed in the hospital strike.Photos purportedly from al-Ahli Hospital shared widely on social video showed fire engulfing the building, widespread damage and bodies scattered in the wreckage.

Crypto-focused investment firms Coinbase Ventures and Haun Ventures are joining forces with the University of Arkansas to support a technology accelerator program, strengthening the US state of Arkansas's position in the crypto landscape.

MEUDON, France (Reuters) — Stellantis (NYSE:STLA) plans to base seven models on a fifth, low-cost platform, an executive for the automaker said on Tuesday, as it prepares to compete against an expected 'flood' of cheap Chinese electric (EV) cars into Europe.

Hamas released a video on Monday showing a statement from one of the captives seized in last week's devastating attack on Israel. In the footage, the woman, whose injured arm is shown being treated by an unidentified medical worker, identifies herself as 21-year-old Mia Schem and asks to be returned to her family as quickly as possible. A representative of the family, which was among a group of French families that appealed last week to President Emmanuel Macron to help free their missing relatives, confirmed her identity to Reuters. At least 199 Israelis and foreigners were seized by Hamas gunmen and taken captive in the attack, which killed 1,300 people, the largest number of dead in a single day in Israel's 75-year history. The Israeli military issued a statement, saying it was in constant touch with Schem's family and condemning Hamas as a «murderous terrorist organization». It said it was using «all intelligence and operational measures» for the return of the captives. «In the video, Hamas is trying to portray itself as a humane organization, while it is a responsible for the murder and abduction of babies, women, children, and elderly,» it said. Earlier, Hamas' armed wing said non-Israelis kidnapped on Oct.

By Svea Herbst-Bayliss and David French

Google 'cheat code' is revolutionizing the way we snag incredible flight deals to holiday hotspots around the globe. This clever hack, previously tucked away as a closely guarded secret, is now stepping into the limelight, offering travelers the keys to discover affordable flights to destinations like Spain, Turkey, Greece, Portugal, France, the USA, and beyond.

LONDON (Reuters) — Absolut Vodka and lemonade drinkers will soon be able to sip their preferred cocktail from a can, after drinks makers Pernod Ricard (EPA:PERP) and Coca-Cola (NYSE:KO) agreed to a pre-mixed version made from the spirit combined with Sprite.

Binance, the world's largest cryptocurrency exchange, has announced its exit from the Russian market, selling its business in the country to CommEX, a newly launched exchange. 

Crypto, the buzzword in the world of finance. There are currently around 31 million users of these digital assets in Europe, according to estimations from cryptocurrency payment gateway TripleA.

Leaders from the European Union offered a new growth plan to the Western Balkans at a summit in Albania’s capital on Monday, opening parts of the EU single market and asking for deep-rooted reforms ahead of membership in the bloc for the six countries ...

Netflix series "Lupin," recently shared insights into the future of the show, giving fans a glimpse into what might lie ahead for Assane Diop's character. After an exhilarating third season, viewers are eagerly awaiting news about a potential fourth installment of the series. «Lupin,» which debuted on Netflix in 2021, has garnered a dedicated following, thanks to its gripping storyline and outstanding performances. The show follows Assane Diop, portrayed by the charismatic Omar Sy, a skilled thief inspired by the legendary character Arsène Lupin.

Sir Jim Ratcliffe Poised to Assume Control of Manchester United Operations In a significant development for Manchester United, lifelong fan and British billionaire Sir Jim Ratcliffe is on the cusp of securing a pivotal role within the club's management structure. Reports suggest that Ratcliffe is set to acquire a substantial 25% stake in the Premier League giants, with a staggering £1.4 billion deal expected to be finalized imminently. Ratcliffe had been engaged in a bidding war with Qatari Sheikh Jassim for ownership of the club, but emerged as the sole front runner following Jassim's withdrawal of his offer on Saturday night.