Latest news with #François
LeMonde
02-06-2025
- Entertainment
- LeMonde
Former Ubisoft executives on trial for sexual harassment
Three former top executives from French video game giant Ubisoft, the maker of Assassin's Creed and Far Cry, went on trial on Monday, June 2, accused of psychologically and sexually harassing employees for years. The trial, to last until Friday, was supposed to be held in March but was adjourned after lawyers complained they received some documents too late. The industry has been scrutinized for years over its treatment of women and minorities in the workplace – and the way they are depicted in games. Ubisoft launched an internal inquiry in 2020 after anonymous testimonies emerged on social media accusing the company of a toxic work culture. Several senior executives later left the firm. The executive shake-up at Ubisoft was hailed by some as a #Metoo moment in the male-dominated video game publishing industry, which has faced criticism for misogynistic imagery often found in games. One of the accused, Serge Hascoët, resigned from his post as chief creative officer. The other two – Thomas "Tommy" François, vice-president of editorial and creative services, and game director Guillaume Patrux – were dismissed for serious misconduct. All three men deny the claims. Hascoët and François arrived at the Bobigny court outside Paris on Monday morning. Employees had complained of regular public humiliation and hazing. François is the focus of the most damning claims of systematic psychological and sexual harassment at the company's offices in the eastern Paris suburb of Montreuil. Between January 2012 and July 2020, François is alleged to have often watched pornographic films in the open-plan office and commented on the appearance of female employees. Headstand in a skirt François was also accused of forcing a young employee he had just hired to do a headstand in the open-plan office while wearing a skirt. He is also accused of tying the same woman to a chair and putting her in an elevator, sending her to another floor. He also allegedly forced her to attend a work meeting after he painted her face with a felt-tip pen. In addition to the accusations of sexual and psychological harassment, François is being prosecuted for an attempted sexual assault when he tried to forcibly kiss a young employee during a Christmas party as she was held by other colleagues. According to an investigative report seen by Agence France-Presse (AFP), François encouraged "his subordinates to act in the same way." Hascoët is accused of lewd behaviour and posing intrusive questions of a sexual nature, as well as racist comments and behaviour. Following deadly jihadist attacks in Paris in 2015, he allegedly asked a Muslim employee if she agreed with the ideas of the Islamic State group. The woman had her computer desktop background changed to images of bacon sandwiches and food was placed on her desk during the Islamic fasting month of Ramadan. The third defendant, former game director Patrux, 39, has been accused of psychological harassment. Investigators spoke to dozens of witnesses during the probe, but "many refused to file a complaint for fear of reactions from the video game community," according to the report seen by AFP.
LeMonde
17-05-2025
- Politics
- LeMonde
The little-known influences behind French PM Bayrou's early political career
It was almost 11 pm in Prime Minister François Bayrou's office on April 9. The night was mild, and the windows were open to the tranquil garden of the Hôtel de Matignon, the prime minister's office and residence. France's growth had just been revised downward, Donald Trump was about to backtrack on tariffs and the Ukrainian president was worried about Russian strikes in his country's east, but all the world's turmoil seemed to have stopped short at the doors to Bayrou's office. He grabbed a copy of a page from the daily newspaper L'Eclair, from May 2, 1936, that was slipped to him. A quick glance at the photo illustrating the article was enough: "Indeed, that's him. I have the original of the photo at home. A candidate in the legislative elections against Léon Blum," the Jewish Socialist head of France's pre- and post-World War II governments. The man in the photo was Lucien Bayrou (1883-1949), François's paternal great-uncle. The prime minister had inherited Lucien's name at birth, in 1951, as a middle name after those of his grandfather, one of his uncles, and another great-uncle: François, René, Jean, Lucien Bayrou. Lucien was the intellectual of the family, the adventurer and the first to go off to study, leaving the family stronghold of Bordères, near the French Pyrénées and the city of Pau, and the most political of all the Bayrous. Yet, François had never mentioned him, though he prides himself on being able to trace his family tree back to the 18 th century, and believes in invisible connections between the souls of the living and the dead. You have 92.6% of this article left to read. The rest is for subscribers only.
Vogue
05-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Vogue
Lupita Nyong'o's Elaborate Met Gala 2025 Hair Is an Ode to Ancestry
For Lupita Nyong'o's hairstylist and Olaplex global ambassador Vernon François, there were four guiding words he held onto when creating the Oscar-winning actor's Met Gala 2025 look: discipline, ancestry, craftsmanship and possibility. 'I wanted her hair to embody the detail and discipline of haute couture–where every curve, parting and placement mimicked the hair of a skilled tailor.' The form? An intricate, organic ponytail that is a mixture of sharpness and subtle embellishments. John Shearer 'For me, the theme of Black dandyism (officially, 'Superfine: Tailoring Black Style') is about unleashing the artistry of tailoring–an ode to seamstresses, to structure, to craftsmanship layered with intentionality,' he shared exclusively with British Vogue. 'It's a theme rooted in power, presentation and resistance–using refinement as a form of rebellion.' How he translated this to Nyong'o's look included by preparing her natural hair with Olaplex No.9 Bond Protector Nourishing Hair Serum and her scalp with the No.5 Scalp Longevity Treatment in the run-up to the red carpet. 'Caring for the scalp is vital when working with natural hair patterns that need support beneath the surface,' he says. Once adequately prepared, François layered fine styling mists and flexible styling products to create hold in the hair, aided by hidden pins that created an internal holding structure. He never tried to 'freeze' the hair, though, rather shape what he describes as Nyong'o's hair's 'natural rhythm'. This isn't the first time François has collaborated with Nyong'o on a Met Gala hairstyle. In 2021, the two created a tulle-esque look inspired by Brooklyn-born conceptual artist Lorna Simpson. A whirling chorus of delicate swirls, loops and airy volume were part of the duo's interpretation of In America: A Lexicon of Fashion, that year's theme. Paired with a denim Versace dress and deep-blue eyeshadow, it encapsulated everything from traditional American workwear to the heyday of pop-star Britney Spears.
Business Wire
29-04-2025
- Business
- Business Wire
Monex Canada Announces New Head of Sales for Quebec and Atlantic Canada
TORONTO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Monex Canada Inc. ('Monex Canada', a subsidiary of the wider financial services group Monex S.A.P.I. de C.V. ('Monex'), a global investment-grade financial services institution and one of the world's leading commercial foreign exchange specialists, is pleased to announce the appointment of François Bélanger as Head of Sales for Quebec and Eastern Canada. François brings over 25 years of banking and foreign exchange risk management to Monex Canada, having previously served at Royal Bank of Canada and Bank of Montreal. Francois will be leading a personalized approach to risk management strategies for businesses across Quebec and Atlantic Canada. With a proven track record within manufacturing, fisheries, forestry, energy, and public sector organizations, Francois will bring a deep understanding of the regulatory landscapes and bilingual business environments unique to those markets. Anil Sawrup, CEO of Monex Canada, said: 'François' insight, adaptability, and established network will accelerate our expansion across Canada. I am confident his financial institution experience is uniquely suited to lead this initiative.' Speaking of his new position, François said, 'While we are a financial service business, we are also a people business. Financial services can be complex, especially in volatile markets, but it is crucial that we give clients that personal touch to instill confidence in their decisions. I am pleased to join Monex Canada to help clients in Eastern and Atlantic Canada manage their FX risk and reach their financial objectives.' Headquartered in Toronto, Monex Canada has grown extensively with new hires across Eastern Canada, a growth trajectory that is set to continue through 2025. About Monex Canada Inc. Monex Canada, headquartered in Toronto, provides corporate clients with industry-leading foreign exchange and international payment solutions. Monex Canada is part of the wider financial services group ('Monex Group') controlled by Monex S.A.P.I. de C.V. (formerly Monex S.A.B. de C.V.), a global investment-grade financial services institution. Founded in 1985, the Monex Group is a global financial services organization that serves over 66,000 clients worldwide, managing US$303 billion in deliverable FX trades and US$11.1 billion worth of assets, and employs over 2,700 people.
National Post
29-04-2025
- Business
- National Post
Monex Canada Announces New Head of Sales for Quebec and Atlantic Canada
Article content With over 25 years' of experience, François Bélanger will help expand the region with trusted knowledge and acumen Article content Article content TORONTO — Monex Canada Inc. ('Monex Canada', a subsidiary of the wider financial services group Monex S.A.P.I. de C.V. ('Monex'), a global investment-grade financial services institution and one of the world's leading commercial foreign exchange specialists, is pleased to announce the appointment of François Bélanger as Head of Sales for Quebec and Eastern Canada. François brings over 25 years of banking and foreign exchange risk management to Monex Canada, having previously served at Royal Bank of Canada and Bank of Montreal. Article content Francois will be leading a personalized approach to risk management strategies for businesses across Quebec and Atlantic Canada. With a proven track record within manufacturing, fisheries, forestry, energy, and public sector organizations, Francois will bring a deep understanding of the regulatory landscapes and bilingual business environments unique to those markets. Article content Anil Sawrup, CEO of Monex Canada, said: 'François' insight, adaptability, and established network will accelerate our expansion across Canada. I am confident his financial institution experience is uniquely suited to lead this initiative.' Article content Speaking of his new position, François said, 'While we are a financial service business, we are also a people business. Financial services can be complex, especially in volatile markets, but it is crucial that we give clients that personal touch to instill confidence in their decisions. I am pleased to join Monex Canada to help clients in Eastern and Atlantic Canada manage their FX risk and reach their financial objectives.' Article content Headquartered in Toronto, Monex Canada has grown extensively with new hires across Eastern Canada, a growth trajectory that is set to continue through 2025. Article content About Monex Canada Inc. Article content Monex Canada, headquartered in Toronto, provides corporate clients with industry-leading foreign exchange and international payment solutions. Monex Canada is part of the wider financial services group ('Monex Group') controlled by Monex S.A.P.I. de C.V. (formerly Monex S.A.B. de C.V.), a global investment-grade financial services institution. Founded in 1985, the Monex Group is a global financial services organization that serves over 66,000 clients worldwide, managing US$303 billion in deliverable FX trades and US$11.1 billion worth of assets, and employs over 2,700 people. Article content Article content Article content Article content Article content
