Author: HeraldStar

The collapse of France’s government on Wednesday could have significant consequences for Europe’s energy markets, potentially leading to soaring electricity prices across the region. As Europe’s largest electricity exporter, France plays a crucial role in supplying power to neighboring countries, accounting for approximately 60% of net electricity exports in 2024, according to energy data from energy-charts.info. This year, France’s record electricity exports have provided neighboring nations with a vital source of affordable, clean power while the region grapples with high energy costs, sluggish economic growth, and political instability. However, with the country now facing significant political turmoil, questions are being…

A coalition of climate-vulnerable nations is seizing a key U.N. meeting this week to advocate for a major overhaul of the global credit rating system, urging that it reflect the investments made in climate resilience. The push comes as heads of state prepare for a major finance conference in Spain next year, where international leaders will seek to accelerate efforts to meet global climate and sustainability targets. At the forefront of the discussions are 39 Small Island Developing States (SIDS), including nations such as Cuba, Haiti, Fiji, and the Maldives, which are facing the worst impacts of climate change. These…

Novo Holdings has officially received unconditional approval from the European Union for its $16.5 billion acquisition of U.S. contract drug maker Catalent, a deal that is set to further strengthen its foothold in the pharmaceutical industry. The European Commission concluded that the acquisition would not pose any competition concerns in the European Economic Area (EEA), paving the way for Novo Holdings to finalize the transaction by the end of this year. In its statement, the European Commission confirmed that the merger would not significantly affect competition in the markets under review. Specifically, it stated that there are sufficient alternative competitors…

Angelina Jolie, the celebrated actress known for her roles in iconic films like Maleficent and Lara Croft: Tomb Raider, surprised audiences on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon by sharing a little-known fact about her career aspirations before Hollywood stardom. Despite her success in acting, Jolie revealed that her first professional ambition wasn’t in front of the camera but in the funeral industry. In an interview with Fallon, the Oscar-winning actress disclosed that she once studied to become a funeral director. When Fallon curiously asked, “Why? How?”, Jolie responded with humor, “Doesn’t it make sense though?” She went on to…

When Taylor Swift first graced the stage of Cowboys, a small bar in Colorado Springs in 2007, she was a fresh face in country music. After the show, she handed two purple beaded bracelets to an enthusiastic fan, Carola Lovering, who had been singing her heart out in the front row. Lovering kept one for herself and gave the other to her best friend, Joanie Goldfarb. Over a decade later, the two reunited during Swift’s Eras Tour in October 2024, where, despite having lost the original bracelets, they exchanged new ones with fellow concertgoers, embodying a tradition sparked by Swift’s…

The Houston Dash have re-signed midfielder Kiki Van Zanten to a two-year contract that will run through the 2026 NWSL season, with a mutual option for the 2027 campaign, the club announced on Friday. Van Zanten, 23, made her mark in her first season with the Dash but was sidelined after sustaining a season-ending foot injury in April. Before the injury, she played in four matches, with one start. Despite the setback, her resilience and determination to return to full fitness impressed the Dash organization. “We are excited about what Kiki can bring to the team next season,” said interim…

Switzerland’s Justin Murisier made a spectacular start to the speed season by securing his first World Cup victory in the men’s downhill race at the legendary Birds of Prey track in Beaver Creek, Colorado, on Friday. In a thrilling finish, Murisier clocked a time of 1 minute, 40.04 seconds, narrowly defeating pre-race favorite Marco Odermatt, who was 0.20 seconds behind in second place. Slovenia’s Miha Hrobat claimed third, marking his first-ever World Cup podium finish. Murisier, who has battled through numerous injuries and surgeries in recent years, expressed his joy and relief after clinching the win. “It’s amazing, I’ve dreamed…

The UK’s Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) is currently investigating allegations that former Credit Suisse employees used the WhatsApp messaging platform to share confidential information, according to documents reviewed by Reuters. The probe is focused on a group of staff within Credit Suisse’s London research unit, comprising approximately 100 employees, spanning the period from mid-2022 to early 2023. The FCA began reviewing these allegations in late February 2023, shortly before the Swiss government facilitated Credit Suisse’s acquisition by UBS. According to documents dated June 2024, the FCA is still collecting evidence, with regulators indicating potential action could be taken once sufficient…

Honda (7267.T) is recalling approximately 205,760 SUVs in the United States due to a potential fuel leak hazard, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) announced on Thursday. The recall affects certain 2023-2025 model year Passport and Pilot vehicles. The recall stems from an issue with the fuel filler neck tube and pipe, which may separate, leading to a fuel leak in the affected vehicles. The NHTSA has issued a safety warning to owners of the impacted models, urging them to seek repairs promptly. Honda has assured customers that dealers will inspect and, if necessary, repair the fuel filler neck…

Gregoire Tournant, a former fund manager at Allianz (ALVG.DE), was sentenced to 18 months of home confinement and three years of probation on Friday, avoiding prison time for his involvement in the collapse of private investment funds that resulted in an estimated $7 billion in losses for investors. Tournant, 57, of Basalt, Colorado, had pleaded guilty in June to two counts of investment adviser fraud after he misled investors in Allianz’s now-defunct Structured Alpha funds. Fraudulent Investment Practices Sparked by the Pandemic Tournant’s conviction stemmed from the collapse of the Structured Alpha funds in March 2020, triggered by the COVID-19…