Latest news with #Macron
Arab News
22 minutes ago
- Business
- Arab News
Energy is at the heart of any nation's digital expansion
Artificial intelligence and its accompanying infrastructure of data centers have become a defining technology within the global economic competition. This new need will have a direct impact on energy, with an expected surge in electricity demand. The need for high-capacity and stable power is making energy infrastructure a central focus of any nation's digital expansion. Indeed, without ample energy capacity, countries will be left behind. Needless to say, this puts the Gulf region in a great position, yet Europe will still need to figure out its way. There is no doubt that after years of misguided all-green obsession, many are now waking up to harsh realities. The disconnect between policymakers and the real world was symbolized in the energy field. We are finally witnessing a return to sanity. One energy source that had been attacked was perhaps one of the most efficient, even on emissions: nuclear power. It was what put France back on top of the European order and brought Germany to its knees. I have written this often and will never tire of saying it: Merci, Gen. de Gaulle. Indeed, today, if France has a greater chance at leadership in AI and tech, it is thanks to its nuclear power. It is also worth noting that on this point, President Emmanuel Macron was capable of making a U-turn and, after being negative on it, has once again pushed forward on nuclear energy. We are also seeing other European countries follow the same path. Italy's plan focuses on deploying advanced small modular reactors and advanced modular reactors to complement renewable energy sources. The government anticipates finalizing the legislative framework by the end of 2027, with projections indicating that nuclear energy could supply between 11 percent and 22 percent of the country's electricity by 2050. We are finally witnessing a return to sanity Khaled Abou Zahr In Germany, while the previous government completed a nuclear phase-out in 2023, the new administration under Chancellor Friedrich Merz is reconsidering this. Merz has criticized the earlier shutdowns and is exploring the development of small modular reactors, as well as potential collaborations with France on nuclear initiatives. The main issue with renewables is their intermittent nature and the continuous need for subsidies. Moreover, in a time of unstable international trade, most equipment comes from China, which poses a supply chain risk. We saw during the global pandemic how the pharma industry supply chain suffered due to its location in India. When it comes to manufacturing for solar, most production takes place in China. This is also a geopolitical and influential advantage for Beijing. While it is clear there are geopolitical consequences to any country's energy mix, there should never be a political, dogmatic view on economic decisions. This is the mistake Europe fell into for energy, and many other business and societal decisions. The European left, in alliance with Green parties, has imposed policies driven by ideology and not economic realism. Among these decisions were the hasty decommissioning of nuclear power, unrealistic decarbonization goals, and placing renewables on a pedestal. This is a topic that has deepened the divide between left and right. Will Europe be capable of shifting this trend and making the right decisions? It is clear that without nuclear power this will be impossible, and relying solely on renewables is a dangerous policy. Redundancies in power sources and distribution are an absolute necessity. The widespread blackout that hit Spain and Portugal last April is a stark reminder. The crisis was caused by a loss in a substation in Granada, followed by failures in Badajoz and Seville, which subsequently caused Spain's grid to disconnect from the broader European network and collapse within seconds. Political figures and energy executives pointed to Spain's increasing reliance on solar and wind power as a major contributing factor. This is also why, following this incident, other experts have ruled out a short-term rapid transition to net zero and said that the immediate exclusion of fossil and nuclear energy was unrealistic. Renewables are heavily subsidized in Europe Khaled Abou Zahr Another important point is that renewables are heavily subsidized in Europe, which can complicate the region's ability to compete globally. On top of that, layers of subsidies are being added — not just for renewable energy generation, but also for emerging technologies, startups, and scale-ups. While these measures seek to enhance innovation and energy transition, they ultimately place a financial burden on taxpayers and risk undermining Europe's competitiveness. In many cases, the main beneficiaries are external suppliers, such as Chinese manufacturers of solar panels or foreign providers of cloud infrastructure, rather than European industry or innovation. The reality is that following this new technology dominance race, there will be a need to do more than push fast for nuclear energy. For France, nuclear energy accounted for about 40 percent of its total energy supply. Moreover, nuclear power accounts for 65 percent of electricity generation. This is what has enabled France to position itself as the cornerstone of the new AI-led economy while other European countries lag. The announcement of new AI-focused data centers in Arizona close to nuclear plants confirms this trend. It is also worth mentioning that beyond ideological views, Paris maintains one of the lowest-carbon electricity grids globally. As we notice a bigger competition, not to say war, for AI with clear geopolitical alignments, Europe will need to sort out its energy mix and reintroduce nuclear energy as a main provider. There is no time to lose on this path, and the risks are too high to ignore. They should be inspired by the strategic foresight of Gen. de Gaulle, who understood the geopolitical independence nuclear energy would grant France. • Khaled Abou Zahr is the founder of SpaceQuest Ventures, a space-focused investment platform. He is CEO of EurabiaMedia and editor of Al-Watan Al-Arabi.
Time of India
38 minutes ago
- Politics
- Time of India
'US & European Credibility At Stake': Macron's Big Russia Speech In Front Of Putin's Allies
/ May 30, 2025, 11:19PM IST At the IISS Shangri-La Dialogue, French President Emmanuel Macron made a candid statement underscoring the geopolitical stakes in Ukraine amid Russia's war and invasion. He acknowledged that if France and the United States fail to effectively support and stabilize Ukraine, it would significantly undermine their global credibility. Macron's remark highlighted the broader implications of the conflict, suggesting that the ability of Western powers to influence international affairs and uphold democratic values depends heavily on the outcome in Ukraine. Watch.
Economic Times
an hour ago
- Politics
- Economic Times
Forget the viral slap: The story of how Emmanuel Macron first met his 25-year-older wife Brigitte is even more shocking
Forget the viral swat—what truly shocks is how President Emmanuel Macron fell in love with his high school teacher, Brigitte, nearly 25 years his senior. Their relationship began when he was just 15. Despite early resistance from Macron's parents, the couple's bond endured. Their controversial romance has stood the test of time and continues to fascinate the world. A viral 'slap' video of French President Emmanuel Macron reignited public curiosity about his relationship with wife Brigitte. The pair met when Macron was 15 and Brigitte, then his 39-year-old teacher. Despite objections from his parents and public scrutiny over their 25-year age gap, the couple married in 2007 and have remained inseparable through political highs and lows. Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads A Forbidden Bond Takes Root Parents in Shock: "We Didn't Say, 'How Wonderful!'" Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Letters, Long Distance, and an Unshakable Promise Viral Slap or Playful Banter? While social media buzzed over a viral video that appeared to show French President Emmanuel Macron being swatted or scolded by his wife Brigitte upon arrival in Vietnam, the online sleuthing unearthed something far more startling than a playful slap: the unconventional origin story of their relationship. And as it turns out, the real drama between the Macrons dates back decades—long before their political ascension and viral was 1993 in the sleepy city of Amiens in northern France when 15-year-old Emmanuel Macron first met Brigitte Trogneux, his 39-year-old drama and French teacher. While Brigitte was helping young Macron master monologues, what unfolded between the teacher and her student would one day scandalize a nation—and captivate the was married to banker André Auzière at the time and was a mother of three. Macron, meanwhile, was a precocious teenager with an intense passion for literature and performance. They met during drama rehearsals at La Providence , a private Catholic secondary school. By the time rumors of their bond began to circulate, Macron's parents were forced to confront a situation they could scarcely to biographer Anne Fulda, who penned Emmanuel Macron: A Perfect Young Man, Macron's parents initially assumed their son was dating one of Brigitte's daughters. When they learned the truth—from a family friend, no less—it was, in the words of Macron's mother Françoise, 'unbelievable.''We just couldn't believe it. What is clear is that when Emmanuel met Brigitte, we couldn't just say, 'That's great,'' she told Fulda according to a report from The father, Jean-Michel Macron, was equally stunned: 'We certainly did not say, 'How wonderful!'' The Macrons pulled their son out of the school, hoping to cool the flames of a relationship that was already defying boundaries. Brigitte, when urged to wait until Macron turned 18, allegedly told his parents: 'I cannot promise you anything.'Despite being separated geographically—Macron was sent to Paris to study at the elite Lycée Henri-IV—the emotional connection remained. 'It all unfolded very slowly,' Brigitte recalled in a 2017 Elle France interview. 'We wrote to each other all the time.'Macron, unwavering in his pursuit, told Brigitte he would return and marry her. That vow became reality in 2007 when the couple tied the knot. He was 29. She was time, their age gap—now 25 years—has become more of a punchline than a point of tension between them. 'It's a joke between us,' Brigitte once said. 'Anything anyone might say is just a big nothing.'The couple's unique dynamic made headlines again recently when a clip from their visit to Hanoi seemed to show Brigitte giving her husband a slap on the back of the head. Lip readers called the exchange 'frosty,' but Macron laughed it off, calling it a 'joke' between them. Yet that fleeting moment reignited public curiosity into one of the most unusual love stories in modern union, forged in controversy and tempered over time, has withstood political storms, public scrutiny , and now, even viral videos . But as Brigitte once said with a shrug, 'There are times in your life where you need to make crucial choices.' For the Macrons, it seems, that choice was made long before the world was watching.
Newsweek
an hour ago
- Politics
- Newsweek
France's Macron Hints at China's Territorial Ambitions Against US Allies
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Permitting Russia to annex Ukrainian territory without consequence could undermine the international community's credibility if China does the same in Taiwan or the Philippines, French President Emmanuel Macron warned on Friday. Macron delivered the remarks in his keynote speech opening the 22nd Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore, Asia's premier defense summit, where he called on countries to pursue greater independence in an era of great power rivalry. Why It Matters Macron's remarks come at a time of uncertainty for many countries caught between China—at odds with France and other traditional American allies over trade and human rights—and the administration of U.S. President Donald Trump, whose chaotic trade moves and "America First" diplomacy have sown doubts about U.S. reliability. Macron stressed that France is an Indo-Pacific power, with more than 1 million French nationals and thousands of troops stationed across its island territories. The NATO member has also stepped up its activities in the region, including the recent deployment of the aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle, which conducted drills with the Philippines. Newsweek reached out to the Chinese and Russian foreign ministries with emailed requests for comment outside of office hours. French President Emmanuel Macron (left) shakes hands with Singaporean President Lawrence Wong during a joint press conference after the signing of several bilateral agreements in Singapore on May 30, 2025. French President Emmanuel Macron (left) shakes hands with Singaporean President Lawrence Wong during a joint press conference after the signing of several bilateral agreements in Singapore on May 30, 2025. Ministry of Digital Development and Information of Singapore via AP What To Know Macron warned that the world overlooks the interconnectivity of today's "multiple crises" at its peril. On Russia's war against Ukraine, now in its fourth year, he said: "I hear the narrative [...] that this is a European conflict and that we are clearly spending too much energy, too much time, and creating too much pain for the rest of the world." "Allow me to say this is a mistake," he continued, striking a resolute tone. "Because if we consider that Russia could be allowed to take a part of the territory of Ukraine without restrictions, without any constraints, without any reaction of the global order—how would you phrase what could happen in Taiwan? What will you do the day something happens in the Philippines?" A number of Western analysts have suggested that China is closely studying the international response to Russian President Vladimir Putin's war with Ukraine as a model for how the world might react if Beijing moves against Taiwan—something U.S. officials have warned Chinese President Xi Jinping has ordered his military to become capable of doing by 2027. "What is at stake? In Ukraine, it is our common credibility to be sure that we are still able to preserve territorial integrity and sovereignty of people," Macron said. China claims Taiwan as its territory and has vowed to someday bring the self-governing island into the fold—by force, if necessary. Another tinderbox is the South China Sea, much of which China claims as its own despite a 2016 ruling by a Hague-based arbitral tribunal that dismissed Beijing's sweeping claims in the strategic waterway. Chinese maritime forces' expanding presence within the exclusive economic zone of the Philippines—a U.S. treaty ally—has led to dramatic standoffs, including collisions and the use of water cannons. Macron warned that the world risks dividing into two blocs, with medium powers increasingly pressured to choose sides as the U.S.-China rivalry intensifies—threatening to unravel the post-World War II global order. Facing similar geopolitical challenges, Europe and Southeast Asia could serve as models for a "coalition of independence," which he said must engage with both Washington and Beijing while resisting pressure from either superpower. Macron's stop in Singapore marks the final leg of his weeklong Asia tour, following stops in Vietnam and Indonesia. What People Are Saying Zhang Xiaogang, Chinese Defense Ministry spokesperson, on Thursday: "We urge the relevant countries to stop ganging up and stirring up troubles in the South China Sea, and stop harming regional peace and stability." What Happens Next U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth is also in Singapore for the summit. During his speech Saturday morning, he is expected to make the case that the U.S. remains a formidable player in the Indo-Pacific.
CNA
an hour ago
- General
- CNA
Israel accuses France's Macron of 'crusade against the Jewish state'
JERUSALEM: Israel accused French President Emmanuel Macron of undertaking a "crusade against the Jewish state" on Friday (30th May) after he called for European countries to harden their stance on Israel if the humanitarian situation in Gaza did not improve. "There is no humanitarian blockade. That is a blatant lie," Israel's foreign ministry said in a statement, defending its efforts to allow in aid. "But instead of applying pressure on the jihadist terrorists, Macron wants to reward them with a Palestinian state. No doubt its national day will be October 7," it added, alluding to the date of Hamas's 2023 attack on Israel that sparked the Gaza war. Israel last week partially lifted a more than two-month blockade on supplies entering Gaza, which is enduring severe shortages of food and medicines even as truckloads of humanitarian assistance have begun to trickle in. Macron, meanwhile, has stepped up his statements of support for the Palestinians of late. On Friday he said European countries should "harden the collective position" against Israel if it did not respond appropriately to the humanitarian situation in Gaza, including keeping open the possibility of sanctions. "If we abandon Gaza, if we consider there is a free pass for Israel, even if we do condemn the terrorist attacks, we will kill our credibility," Macron told a top defence forum in Singapore. He also called the recognition of a Palestinian state, with some conditions, "not only a moral duty, but a political necessity". France is co-hosting with Saudi Arabia an international conference at the UN in New York meant to resurrect the idea of a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, an outcome the government of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu opposes.
