Macron Praises Artisans for Notre-Dame Cathedral Restoration Ahead of Reopening

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French President Emmanuel Macron commended the over 1,000 craftspeople who contributed to the restoration of Notre-Dame Cathedral, calling it “the project of the century.” The historic cathedral, a beloved Parisian landmark, is set to reopen next week, over five years after a devastating fire in April 2019 ravaged its structure.

Speaking at a ceremony on Friday, Macron addressed an audience of artisans, firefighters, donors, and other contributors, including members of the renowned Compagnons du Devoir, an elite guild of France’s top artisans. “The burning of Notre-Dame was a national wound, and you were its remedy,” Macron stated. His gratitude culminated in an enthusiastic round of applause from the attendees.

The meticulous reconstruction restored the cathedral’s iconic spire, rib vaulting, flying buttresses, stained-glass windows, and ornate gargoyles. The building now gleams with a renewed brilliance, its white stone and gold accents more vibrant than before.

The restoration is a stark contrast to the catastrophic scenes of April 15, 2019, when the cathedral’s roof and spire collapsed in a massive blaze that nearly consumed its bell towers. Macron toured the renewed nave alongside his wife Brigitte, Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo, and senior officials, describing the experience as “overwhelming.”

Exceptional Achievement
Stone-carver Samir Abbas, one of the many workers involved, expressed relief at the project’s timely completion, calling it “an exceptional renovation project.”

The cathedral will host an opening ceremony on December 7, featuring high-profile guests, including possibly U.S. First Lady Jill Biden, although Donald Trump’s attendance remains unconfirmed. Celebratory Masses will follow, honoring those who contributed to the restoration.

Global donations exceeded €840 million ($882 million), leaving additional funds available for future investments in the cathedral. Paris Archbishop Laurent Ulrich celebrated the achievement, stating, “Hundreds of thousands of people committed to what seemed like an impossible bet: to restore the cathedral within five years.”

With the reopening, Notre-Dame is expected to welcome up to 15 million visitors annually. Local residents shared their excitement. Architect Sebastien Truchot called the restoration “amazing,” while bookseller Albert Abid described it as a long-awaited “relief.”

 

JPMorgan Drops Lawsuit Against Tesla Over Stock Warrants

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JPMorgan Chase and Tesla have agreed to settle their dispute over a 2014 stock warrants contract, ending a lawsuit that had been ongoing since 2021. In a joint filing submitted to a Manhattan court on Friday, both companies stated they would drop their claims against each other.

The terms of the settlement were not disclosed, and neither company responded to media requests for comment. Bloomberg News first reported the settlement.

The legal battle stemmed from a 2014 agreement in which Tesla sold stock warrants to JPMorgan. Warrants give holders the right to purchase stock at a set price and date. JPMorgan claimed the value of the warrants was significantly impacted by a controversial 2018 tweet from Tesla CEO Elon Musk, where he stated his intention to take Tesla private at $420 per share, adding that he had “funding secured.” Musk later abandoned the plan, causing Tesla’s stock price to fluctuate widely.

JPMorgan argued that it was contractually obligated to adjust the warrants’ strike price to reflect the stock price volatility caused by Musk’s tweet and its aftermath. The bank claimed this adjustment led to Tesla owing $162.2 million, which the automaker did not pay.

Tesla countersued in January 2023, accusing JPMorgan of trying to exploit the situation for financial gain by demanding an unwarranted payout.

The dispute highlights the broader implications of Musk’s social media activity, which has led to regulatory scrutiny. Following the 2018 tweet, Musk reached an agreement with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to have certain tweets pre-approved by a Tesla lawyer.

The settlement ends one of the lingering legal battles between Tesla and its corporate partners, closing a chapter in the companies’ tumultuous relationship.

Baidu Secures License to Test Autonomous Vehicles in Hong Kong

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Baidu’s Apollo robotaxi service has received approval to test autonomous vehicles in Hong Kong, marking the company’s first license for self-driving car trials outside mainland China. Hong Kong’s Transport Department announced Friday that Baidu Apollo International Ltd is authorized to conduct tests with 10 autonomous vehicles in the North Lantau region.

The license, valid from December 9, 2024, to December 8, 2029, will initially permit only one autonomous vehicle on specified road sections at a time. A backup operator will be required to remain onboard to take control of the vehicle if needed during the trials.

This approval is the first issued under Hong Kong’s new regulatory framework for autonomous vehicles, introduced in March 2023. While the Hong Kong government has promoted autonomous vehicle technology since 2017, public road trials have been limited until now.

Baidu’s Apollo Go service operates across several mainland Chinese cities, including Wuhan, where it manages a fleet of over 400 autonomous vehicles, the largest in the region. With competition in the autonomous vehicle sector intensifying, Baidu aims to expand its robotaxi services internationally to locations such as Hong Kong, Singapore, and the Middle East, according to recent reports.

The Hong Kong trial represents a significant step in Baidu’s global ambitions for its autonomous vehicle program and underscores the city’s evolving stance on integrating cutting-edge technology into its transportation ecosystem.