Archive for the ‘France’ tag
France: No exclusive iPhone deals
A French appellate court has upheld a decision prohibiting Apple and telco provider Orange from entering into a five-year exclusive deal.
[From iPhone : la justice confirme la suspension d'exclusivité d'Orange - Economie - Le Monde.fr]
Les différents types de cyberattaques
A fun infographic from the French newspaper Le Monde describing the different types of computer malware.
Transnational Securities Regulation
Between studying for the bar exam and sleeping, I find a few moments out of my day to read the newspapers. In particular, I like to read the French newspapers to help develop my language skills.
Today, I encountered an article in Le Monde stating that the SEC is investigating possible securities fraud in connection with the Société générale fiasco.
While the news of a “rogue trader” who gambled more than 50 billion € ($74 billion) and is reported to have lost at least 7 billion € has not had much press in the US, it is a major story in France.
What I find interesting is the possibility that the SEC will be able to have a direct regulatory impact on a French bank. Such transnational regulation is becoming more commonplace; see, for example, my discussion of the European Commission’s merger control investigation of Google’s DoubleClick acquisition.
(Update: forgot some zeros on M. Kerveil’s fraud. Should be 7 billion Euros, not 7 million).
Les élections américaines
Sometimes, the best way to take a look at yourself comes from outside. This is why I think it is important for everyone to read the foreign press, especially foreign-language press.
Le Monde has a section on their website on the US election. While the French are no experts on the US electoral process (neither are Americans, but that’s another topic of discussion), the articles they provide
In partucular, I would suggest reading the article regarding the Iowa primaries. It gives a fairly concise description of the process, the timeframe for the primaries. For the French, the primaries on 5 February are the end of the story (and to some extent, they’re right).
The interesting bits come from the difference in interpreting what is important. For example, the French seem to suggest that more weight should go to the 22 primary on 5 Feb. but acknowledge that “[t]he parties – and the press – attach extreme importance to Iowa, which is the first poll after a year of campaigning.“
Le Monde does not seem to endorse a particular candidate, but it does spend far more time discussing the position of the democratic candidates than the republican candidates, suggesting that may give an endorsement to whomever wins the party nomination.
The paper also acknowledges that Obama and Edwards have a far more difficult challenge with the election, noting that these candidates must win or at least have a very strong showing in Iowa in order to convince other states of their importance.
A Beautiful Distraction
Or, Sarko’s on the market.
Shortly after a debilitating transit strike in France, a spokesman from palais de l’Élysée announced that M. Sarkozy and his wife, who had not been seen in public with the French President for weeks, have divorced by mutual agreement.
The ploy appears to be working. Most of the French papers are devoting an enormous amount of attention to the issue, although not necessarily giving the lead. If only the US could learn from this…
Oh wait.
[From Frozen by strikes, France is transfixed by Sarkozy's split with wife - International Herald Tribune]
[See also Le Temps - Nicolas et Cécilia Sarkozy ont divorcé]
France to return to NATO?
Le Monde is reporting that France is contemplating a full return to NATO (OTAN). I for one welcome the decision. The EU needs a more assertive role in military affairs, and I believe that France has both the initiative and the talent to lead Europe to an important role as a counter-balance to American military policy.
Plus, it gives the French generals in Brussels something to do.
Joyeux quatorze juillet
C’est quatorze juillet, le jour commémorant la prise de la Bastille.
Viva la France!
Disappointment at the Polls
After a heated four-way campaign for the French presidency that was on its way to up-ending the political landscape, the French seem to have gone back to what they know – the socialists and the UMP.
This is certainly a shift in the stance the election was tending towards. For the first time, the French looked to putting a centrist candidate, Bayrou, on the ballot. The xenophobic canidade, Le Pen, has never really been a contender (the previous election, where he made the second round, aside). But whatever happens now, the French will have to choose between the status-quo (Sarkozy) and the perpetual alternative to the status quo (Royal).
C’est la vie.
