Stock Markets
Restored Notre-Dame Cathedral reopens, five years after fire
By Marco Trujillo and Michaela Cabrera
PARIS (Reuters) -French President Emmanuel Macron welcomed guests set to include Donald Trump on Saturday at Paris’ Notre-Dame Cathedral for its reopening ceremony, five-and-a-half years after a huge fire brought the Gothic masterpiece close to collapse.
The 860-year-old medieval building has been meticulously restored, with a new spire and rib vaulting, its flying buttresses and carved stone gargoyles returned to their past glory and white stone and gold decorations shining brightly once again.
Getting U.S. President-elect Trump to attend, and organising a meeting between him and Ukraine’s leader Volodymyr Zelenskiy at the Elysee Palace ahead of the Notre-Dame ceremony was a coup for Macron as he faces a political crisis at home, after parliament ousted his prime minister.
Zelenskiy joined Britain’s Prince William, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and former French presidents Francois Hollande and Nicolas Sarkozy, who were arriving for the evening ceremony.
Tech billionaire Elon Musk, a close advisor in Trump’s transition team, was also set to attend, a French government source said.
Earlier, tourists, who still cannot go inside the cathedral, snapped pictures with the restored building in the background as final preparations for the event went on inside.
“It was very sad to see it burnt down and all black and ashy but amazing to see it rebuilt. Yeah, it’s very special,” said 26-year-old U.S. tourist Amanda Nguyen, from Texas.
Some Parisians were particularly thrilled.
“What does Notre-Dame mean to me? This. Look, it’s here,” said careworker Pascal Tordeux, displaying a tattoo on his arm representing the cathedral. “It means everything.”
“I saw the construction every day from my window, the spire being brought down, being brought back. I saw it burn, I saw it rise again. I followed it day by day,” said Tordeux, who lives across the river from Notre-Dame.
On the evening of April 15, 2019, dismayed Parisians rushed to the scene and TV viewers worldwide watched horrified as the fire raged through the cathedral.
“The planet was shaken on that day,” Macron said ahead of Saturday’s event. “The shock of the reopening will – I believe and I want to believe – be as strong as that of the fire, but it will be a shock of hope.”
THOUSANDS WORKED ON RESTORATION
Forecast strong winds mean the non-religious part of the celebrations, including Macron’s speech, which had been set to be held outside the cathedral, will also be held inside.
Would-be visitors can now book a free ticket online, on the Cathedral’s website. But on Saturday, the first day bookings could be made for the coming days, all tickets were gone, a message on the site said.
Group visits will be allowed next year – from Feb. 1 for religious groups or from June 9 for tourists with guides. The Catholic Church expects the cathedral to welcome 15 million visitors each year.
Thousands of experts – from carpenters and stonemasons to stained glass window artists – worked around the clock for the last five years, using age-old methods to restore, repair or replace everything that was destroyed or damaged.
“Notre-Dame is more than a Parisian or French monument. It’s also a universal monument,” said historian Damien Berne.
“It’s a landmark, an emblem, a point of reference that reassures in a globalised world where everything evolves permanently,” said Berne, a member of the scientific council for the restoration.
The cathedral’s first stone was laid in 1163, and construction continued for much of the next century, with major restoration and additions made in the 17th and 18th centuries.
Victor Hugo helped make the cathedral a symbol of Paris and France when he used it as a setting for his 1831 novel “The Hunchback of Notre-Dame”. Quasimodo, the main character, has been portrayed in Hollywood movies, an animated Disney (NYSE:) adaptation and in musicals.
So much money poured in for the renovation from all over the world – more than 840 million euros ($880 million), according to Macron’s office – there are still funds left over for further investment in the building.
Stock Markets
Coupa Named a Leader in IDC MarketScape for Worldwide SaaS and Cloud-Enabled Direct Spend
With Coupa’s total spend management platform, companies can optimize supplier sourcing, manage direct and indirect spend and future proof operations in one unified platform
FOSTER CITY, Calif., Dec. 18, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — Coupa, the margin multiplier company, has been named a Leader in the IDC MarketScape: Worldwide SaaS and Cloud-Enabled Direct Spend 2024 Vendor Assessment (Doc #US52734424, December 2024).
In the first report of its kind from IDC covering the direct spend market landscape, the IDC MarketScape for Direct Spend, cited the benefits of Coupa’s unified platform as a key strength. The report states, “Coupa offers a holistic platform for optimized direct spend, leveraging a robust platform that fosters supply chain collaboration, mitigates risk, facilitates ease of supply chain design and planning, and is seamlessly integrated with the full S2P suite to drive ease of contracting, purchasing, and invoice management.”
“The need for an integrated spend management approach has never been more critical, as businesses face external factors impacting revenue, like volatile interest rates and supply chain disruptions, all while managing outdated sourcing processes and fragmented systems,” said Salvatore Lombardo, Chief Product and Technology Officer. “Coupa’s AI-driven total spend management platform provides businesses with a holistic view that helps them grow margins, streamline processes, and mitigate risks, through data-driven decision-making. Our community-generated AI gets smarter by the minute, informed by our $7T in global spend data and network of buyers and suppliers. Using Coupa AI, our customers are creating more resilient and adaptive supply chains, identifying new strategic suppliers, and discovering opportunities to manage their business spend more effectively and efficiently.”
“We are building a network that will sit at the center of global trade. In the future, supply and demand will be matched autonomously, in real time, allowing buyers and suppliers to connect seamlessly and creating a self-sustaining loop that saves everyone money while constantly learning and adapting,” added Lombardo.
Coupa provides the most comprehensive, connected, and agile solution covering the full direct spend process in one unified platform. Coupa’s unmatched direct spend capabilities include:
- Supplier Sourcing Optimization: Find the best suppliers, negotiate better contracts, and drive savings, all while optimizing sourcing strategies to meet business goals.
- Supply Chain Design & Planning: Monitor your physical supply chain in near-real time and run what-if scenarios to enhance decision-making across cost, service, and sustainability.
- Supply Chain Collaboration: Enhance communication with suppliers in real-time and improve order fulfillment and ensure supply continuity with better visibility and collaboration.
- Third Party Risk Management: Assess and manage supplier risks by quickly identifying threats, while strengthening compliance to build supplier resiliency.
- Contract Lifecycle Management: Streamline the contract management process by parsing documents and integrating contracts with sourcing and procurement workflows.
- Invoicing, Payments & Treasury: Automate invoice and PO matching to reduce errors and accelerate payments and ensure tax compliance and liquidity.
For a complimentary excerpt copy of the report, click here.
Additional Information
- Read the report blog
- Learn more about Coupa Supply Chain Collaboration
About Coupa
Coupa makes margins multiply through its community-generated AI and industry leading total spend management platform for businesses large and small. Coupa AI is informed by trillions of dollars of direct and indirect spend data across a global network of 10M+ buyers and suppliers. We empower you with the ability to predict, prescribe, and automate smarter, more profitable business decisions to improve operating margins. Coupa is the margin multiplier company™. Learn more at coupa.com and follow us on LinkedIn and X (Twitter).
About IDC MarketScape
IDC MarketScape vendor analysis model is designed to provide an overview of the competitive fitness of ICT (information and communications technology) suppliers in a given market. The research methodology utilizes a rigorous scoring methodology based on both qualitative and quantitative criteria that results in a single graphical illustration of each vendor’s position within a given market. IDC MarketScape provides a clear framework in which the product and service offerings, capabilities and strategies, and current and future market success factors of IT and telecommunications vendors can be meaningfully compared. The framework also provides technology buyers with a 360-degree assessment of the strengths and weaknesses of current and prospective vendors.
“IDC, MarketScape: Worldwide SaaS and Cloud-Enabled Direct Spend 2024 Vendor Assessment, Doc #US52734424, December 2024”
Investing.com — US stocks climbed Wednesday, as investors awaited the Federal Reserve rate decision.
At 12:53 ET (17:53 GMT), the climbed 0.4%, or 160 points, the rose 0.2% and the added 0.2%.
Fed set to cut rates, but eyes on projections
The Fed is widely expected to cut rates when it announced its monetary policy decision at 2:00 p.m. ET.
Market focus will be squarely on the Fed’s economic projections including rate cuts for the next year, and comments from Chair Jerome Powell.
Investors expect the Fed to indicate a slower pace of rate cuts in 2025, as persistent inflation and a strong labor market—two key challenges for the Fed—continue to pose concerns.
On Tuesday, data showed that retail sales rose by 0.7% in November, above the 0.5% forecast.
Stronger-than-expected retail sales data signals that the economy remains strong and consumer spending remains robust, despite challenges like inflation and high interest rates.
This strength was driven by a solid labor market and steady household finances.
Tech cuts intraday losses as Nvidia rebounds
NVIDIA Corporation (NASDAQ:) rebounded as investors bought the recent dip in the chipmaker, helping the broader tech sector recovery.The move higher in the chipmaker comes a day after it fell deeper into correction territory following its 10% plunge from a recent peak.
Apple Inc (NASDAQ:) rose 0.1%, while Alphabet (NASDAQ:) added 0.1%.
Jabil Circuit Inc (NYSE:) was also in rally mode, surging 9% after reporting stronger-than-expected fiscal first quarter results and guidance.
Elsewhere on the earnings front, Birkenstock Holding ltd (NYSE:) reported Q4 results that topped Wall Street estimates, sending its shares more than 6% higher.
General Mills Inc (NYSE:) stumbled after cutting its annual outlook on earnings as ramp up in promotional activity dented margins.
Stock Markets
American Water Charitable Foundation Donated Over $5 Million in 2024 to Support and Strengthen Communities
CAMDEN, N.J.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–The American Water (NYSE:) Charitable Foundation, a 501(c)(3) organization established by American Water (NYSE: AWK), the largest regulated water and wastewater utility company in the U.S., announced today it awarded a combined total of $5.4 million to organizations across the U.S., supporting communities served by American Water in 2024.
Through the American Water Charitable Foundation’s Keep Communities Flowing Grant Program, $4.7 million was awarded to over 400 eligible non-profit organizations across the country. Additionally, over 4,000 employees participated in the Foundation’s Employee Matching Gift and Rewards Programs with over $700,000 donated to more than 2,200 charities. 2024 giving will be finalized in mid-January.
Following are a few examples of how the American Water Charitable Foundation is making a difference nationwide:
- As extreme weather events increase in frequency and intensity, we continue to count on forward-thinking Disaster Responder members like the American Water Charitable Foundation to help power our preparedness and relief efforts, said Anne McKeough, Chief Development Officer, American Red Cross. We are so thankful for the American Water Charitable Foundation’s donation, which underscores their commitment to compassion in advance of disasters big and small.
- We really appreciate the partnership with the American Water Charitable Foundation and California American Water for their commitment to Monterey Peninsula College students, said Beccie Michael, MPC Foundation Executive Director. Funds provided by the Foundation will create valuable opportunities for our students as they work towards earning STEM degrees and ultimately becoming STEM professionals. This grant is a prime example of working together to ensure a well-educated, well-prepared future workforce to meet our community’s needs.
- We are deeply grateful for the American Water Charitable Foundation’s support through the 2024 Water and Environment grant, said Kelly Knutson, Director for the Coalition for the Delaware River Watershed. Clarity around tap water processes is essential, as it fosters public trust in the safety and quality of our drinking water, benefiting every individual and safeguarding the health of our watershed community. Thank you to the American Water Charitable Foundation for their commitment to our collective mission of a healthy and protected watershed.”
- We are thankful for the American Water Charitable Foundation’s continued support of our mission to end veteran suicide, said Lindsay (NYSE:) Grayson, Chief Revenue Officer, K9s For Warriors. K9s For Warriors has paired more than 1,000 veterans with a service dog. With the American Water Charitable Foundation’s help, we can continue to provide these life-changing animals to veterans in need, helping them regain their independence and improve their quality of life.
Since 2012, the American Water Charitable Foundation has invested nearly $21 million in funding through grants and matching gifts that are important to American Water’s employees and positively impact the communities where they live and work.
Grants provided by the American Water Charitable Foundation support impactful initiatives and programs throughout American Water’s national footprint. Our charitable focus to Keep Communities Flowing empowers our community partners to make meaningful long-term differences in the lives of those they serve,” said Carrie Williams, President, American Water Charitable Foundation. Additionally, the Foundation is proud to support American Water employees in their own charitable endeavors through matching gifts and rewards.
Learn more about the American Water Charitable Foundation here.
About American Water
American Water (NYSE: AWK) is the largest regulated water and wastewater utility company in the United States. With a history dating back to 1886, We Keep Life Flowing ® by providing safe, clean, reliable and affordable drinking water and wastewater services to more than 14 million people with regulated operations in 14 states and on 18 military installations. American Water’s 6,500 talented professionals leverage their significant expertise and the company’s national size and scale to achieve excellent outcomes for the benefit of customers, employees, investors and other stakeholders.
For more information, visit amwater.com and join American Water on LinkedIn, Facebook (NASDAQ:), X and Instagram.
About American Water Charitable Foundation
The American Water Charitable Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that provides a formal way to demonstrate the company’s ongoing commitment to be a good neighbor, citizen, and contributor to the communities where American Water and its employees live, work and operate. For more information, visit amwater.com/awcf.
View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241218463998/en/
Media Contact
Alicia Barbieri
Director, Communications & External Affairs
American Water
(856) 676-8103
alicia.barbieri@amwater.com
Source: American Water
Forex2 years agoForex Today: the dollar is gaining strength amid gloomy sentiment at the start of the Fed’s week
- Forex2 years ago
How is the Australian dollar doing today?
- Forex2 years ago
Unbiased review of Pocket Option broker
- Forex2 years ago
Dollar to pound sterling exchange rate today: Pound plummeted to its lowest since 1985
- Cryptocurrency2 years ago
What happened in the crypto market – current events today
- World2 years ago
Why are modern video games an art form?
- Commodities2 years ago
Copper continues to fall in price on expectations of lower demand in China
- Forex2 years ago
The dollar is down again against major world currencies
