The agreement on Greece will not happen today - February 16, 2012

 

The future of Greece and the euro area remains unresolved. Ministers of Economy and Finance of the euro area last night decided to shift a crucial meeting in Athens. The summit of the Eurogroup, originally scheduled for Brussels on Wednesday to approve the bailout, has indeed been canceled and replaced by a simple conference call. The decision was postponed until Monday. The release of a loan of EUR 130 billion, the country needed to avoid bankruptcy, was thereby effectively shifted.

In question, as the leader of Finance Ministers of the euro zone Jean-Claude Juncker, the need for "new technical work between Greece and the troika" and that "in several areas particularly to fill the budget hole 325 million euros in 2012 and for the analysis of debt sustainability. " But corroborating sources, the discussion achopperait on the level of participation of the European Central Bank in the operation of debt relief from Athens, to supplement the efforts of private creditors no fax pay day loan.

And soon after these announcements, the euro has won against the dollar and the euro was trading at 1.3134 dollars against 1.3191 dollars last night the night before. In fact, even though members of the eurozone believe that a Greek default is not an option, the risk seems increasingly tangible. Thomas Costerg, economist for Standard Chartered Bank says that "the time to pay the March deadline are already very tight and does not give any leeway possible for a further postponement. The whole question is whether we have reached the point of no return in Greece. I do not think this is the case but we are getting dangerously close. "  

Yet, the European Commissioner for Economic Affairs Olli Rehn reiterated yesterday that default Greek would have "devastating consequences" not only for Athens but for all of Europe.

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Nicolas Sarkozy wants to extend the life of nuclear plants - February 13, 2012

 

The lifetime of nuclear power plants should be paid beyond age 40. Such is the will of Nicolas Sarkozy, announced Minister of Industry, Eric Besson. "The president has decided to require all operators to put in a position to extend the lifetime of our reactors," he said during the Great Rendezvous, a Europe / i> TV / Le Parisien.

"It means to carry out all maintenance efforts, research of the highest standards of safety and security, to ensure that the park could be extended," he added. "The decision is," stressed the minister. "That does not mean it will happen mechanically since it is then the Nuclear Safety Authority (ASN)" which must ultimately take the decision, he said. ASN will consider each of the reactors and give the green light on a case by case.  

A report commissioned by Eric Besson, to be published Monday, should warn against the consequences of reducing the share of nuclear and advocate the extension of the French nuclear fleet. This will be pursuing the development of third generation EPR reactors (1600 MW), of Atmea medium power (1000 MW) products with China and Russia as well as smaller units (300 megawatts).

Between 680 and 860 million per reactor

To the Minister of Industry, extending the life of existing plants is the best solution, including an economic standpoint. He said nuclear power is twice cheaper than wind energy and five times less than solar. On the other hand, EDF considers that extending the duration of operation of its plants would cost 680 to € 860 million per reactor. The construction of a new-generation reactor Areva cost compared five billion per reactor.

Other scenarios would cause "inevitable consequences", Eric Besson insisted, as "the rising price of electricity" and "job destruction", "150,000" direct, "300,000 to 400,000" indirect. Besides the "2 million jobs" industrial "potential" which according to the minister, "can be impacted."

As to reduce the nuclear share of 75% to 50% in the French energy mix, as proposed by the Socialist candidate Francois Hollande, it is "irresponsible" criticism Eric Besson. In a draft, this would in effect in 2030 by a decline of 0.6% of GDP. The UMP wants to maintain 75% of the share of nuclear in electricity generation French.

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Sarkozy wants to tax the new financial exchanges - November 4, 2011

The G20 summit opened in Cannes on Thursday in an acute crisis. President Nicolas Sarkozy had to leave an extraordinary meeting of the euro area to hold under a rainy sky guests, leaders of 20 leading world economies.

The crisis in the euro area has so encroached on the official program that the French president had to cancel his meeting with Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Sing. French President Barack Obama had previously met face-to-head and seems to have gained the support of the United States for its proposed financial transactions tax.

The political changes in Athens have also punctuated the start of the summit. Returning to Greece after being scolded by Nicolas Sarkozy and Angela Merkel on Wednesday, Prime Minister George Papandreou is facing the sling of his own ministers.

- November 3, 2011

Why this referendum is it risky?

- October 29, 2011

In the first five days of strike by cabin crew of Air France, the company is organized to provide as announced 80% of its flights. The company has temporarily restricted on Saturday morning to 100 passengers the ability of its medium-haul flights Orly. Consequence: passengers can wait a little and minor delays can be saved.

This management method was chosen to avoid having to put down passengers for lack of a sufficient number of hostesses and stewards. "It blocks the flights a minimum. Is completed according to the presentation of the crews as and when. But we have managed so far to complete the flight and make them go as planned, "says the director of Air France at Orly, George Daher. A strategy that annoys some customers. "We were placed on a waiting list by explaining that there was not enough staff.

Air France strike threat to Halloween - October 16, 2011

The human resources department of Air France is under pressure. Three cabin crew unions (PNC) filed a strike notice for the weekend of All Saints, Saturday 29 October to Wednesday, November 2.

The unions believe that their company "wants to charge PNC" his "poor economic performance." They denounce downsizing that "degrade their working conditions." The strike affects all flights from Orly, Roissy and Marseille.

This was already burning the cloth between the management of Air France and its flight attendants. Seven unions had filed a notice of four days in late July, one of the busiest of the year. Finally, the threat was not carried out.

The hostesses and stewards who work on short flights and medium-haul are directly affected by the restructuring plans announced by Air France to regain ground in a market dominated by low-cost airlines payday advance lender. Air France seeks to improve its productivity by organizing more such flights by plane and rotation by offering volunteers a more intense pace of work. This time, a new rating system hostesses and stewards with their heads cabins, instead of "inspectors controllers" would have set fire to the powder.

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France-Soir, a newspaper who wrote the history of the press - October 15, 2011

Click on the thumbnail to enlarge the graphic.

Few newspapers have a history as brilliant and desperate that France-Soir. A heroic birth, with the brilliant Pierre Lazareff transforms, at the end of the war, a newspaper born in the underground resistance, Defence of France, in large tabloid. Shattering debut, with prints that quickly reach over a million copies. Illuminated by a succession of prestigious feathers. A slow but inexorable fall, punctuated by numerous changes in ownership.

France-Soir has become the first French daily Liberation from. Acquired by Hachette in 1949, the newspaper saw its heyday in the 1950s and 1960s. He crossed the bar of a million copies in 1953-1954, while France mired in the wars of decolonization in Indochina first, then to Algeria.The French go to the front and France-Soir draws more than 1.5 million copies. A banner on the front proclaims: "The only daily selling over a million copies."

By dint of scoops of hard-hitting headlines and large photographs, France-Soir is a reference. "Pick the world in a day and throw it to the men every morning," the newspaper endorsed this definition of journalism by Joseph Kessel, who covered the trial of Petain and Nuremberg. The anthology pieces by Lucien Bodard, Françoise Giroud, Jean Philippe Labro Ferniot or alongside the venomous "Gossip gossip of" Carmen Tessier, the soap with rose Angélique, marquise of angels and the "facts div" sordid as the Dominici affair. The cocktail is perfect.

At the height of his fame, France-Soir is working out up to 400 journalists and eight editions per day.Sales over two million copies in November 1963, after the death of John F cheap pay day loans. Kennedy and after the November 1970 General de Gaulle.

The tide is turning in the 1970s. When Lazareff died in 1972, the daily press is beginning to be shaken up by radio and television. The editorial line is less clear. Like its competitors, France-Soir tabloid to balance between the Anglo-American general and the newspaper. Frequent changes of shareholders from that time do not help matters. The "avid reader" Robert Hersant, which then has to Le Figaro, took control of France-Soir in 1976. First bleed to the editor that loses 80 of 200 journalists … But in 1983, the distribution still falls to 400,000 copies.

Following is a series of stimulus packages and restructuring.Between 1982 and 2004, eleven editors will succeed at the bedside. In 1998, Yves de Chaisemartin, who told Robert Hersant the keys to Socpresse, the paper goes tabloid significantly lowering the selling price. But the title is seriously deficient. It changed hands in 1999, 2000 and 2002. Philippe Bouvard, who has officiated in the newspaper between 1973 and 1989, then back at the helm. France-Soir +, refocused on television and sport, does not return to its glorious past.

Bloodless, without cap, France-Soir is placed in receivership in late 2005. The following year, the newspaper was bought by the developer Jean-Pierre Brunois. Journalists on strike brandishing leaflets "Bal tragic in court: 80 dead." Inspiration always comes from English tabloids. But the newspaper has lost the recipe for success.The two stimulus packages Alexander Pugachev, who acquired the newspaper in 2009, failed to reverse the trend.

Europe prepares its banks to a shock on Greek debt - October 13, 2011

European politicians finally seem on the verge of their act together on the Greek case and the measures to try to resist contagion. The prospect of a consensus at the summit of October 23 has heightened expectations of financial marcéhs Wednesday.

The signal came from Paris, where the government is out of the woods on the delicate issue of recapitalizing banks with public funds. "We have no doubt about the strength of French banks but there is turbulence in financial markets that cause the increase of capital of European banks has become a necessity," conceded Valérie Pécresse, Minister for the Budget and is speaking for the government.

If Bercy always prefers a recapitalization by the "private capital", the Minister acknowledged that France was willing to inject itself of public money to support its banks.But only "if necessary, ultimately," insists on all sides. Still, Paris is on the side of Germany, who suspected her of wanting rather to apply the European Stability Fund (EFSF), to avoid jeopardizing its AAA. Now for Berlin, there is no question that States have the means to put themselves out to the pocket have had recourse to the help system mutusalisée what the Fund. "The EFSF can lend to some countries who need loans to recapitalize their banking system, France will not appeal there," committed Valérie Pécresse. If banks do not hammer need to be recapitalized, the French government, however, stand ready, in case …

Paris is therefore close to Berlin. And position strangely similar to that outlined Wednesday by José Manuel Barroso.Calling for a "fully coordinated approach," the President of the European Commission has called on banks to beef up their capital "temporarily" but "emergency". Private funds, public money or relief of EFSF, that each country is doing: Europe is the strength of its banking system can no longer be doubted.

30% to 60% discount

For this, the European banking supervisor is the maneuver. According to the Financial Times, the European Banking Authority will impose a hard capital ratio of 9%, a considerable jump from 5% who had served as a reference during stress tests in July. All, by mid-2012. But the effort goes further. The supervisor collects the latest encryption on sovereign debt portfolios of the banks to deduct equity securities on these discounts applied by the markets.

If the bank building is now consensus among European politicians is that a taboo is jumping, that of non-payment of Greece. Of course, nothing is official act. But when Barroso calls for "decisive action on Greece" to qd'assurer the viability of the Greek economy is emerging between the lines a massive debt waiver. Greek Prime Minister George Papandreou does not hide the power struggle in which he was hired: "We negotiate every day to reduce this debt." Of "responsible for the euro area" quoted by Reuters are considering the possibility of a cross on 30% to 50% of Greek debt.The President of the Eurogroup, Jean-Claude Juncker, has even mentioned a discount of more than 60% earlier in the week before his entourage back-pedal.

For now, banks consider in their accounts that they must give up 21% of their claims of Athens, in accordance with the agreement of July 21. It is to be able to take the shock of restructuring more violent they are asked to display ratios above reproach.

Why Kindle Fire is so cheap - September 29, 2011

Since the presentation of the tablet from Amazon on Wednesday night, no one talking about it: price, so aggressive. At $ 199, Kindle the Fire will be 60% cheaper than the first of the iPad, sold to 499 dollars (489 euros in France). If the surprise is – analysts had expected, at best, at a rate of $ 249 – Tablet Amazon profits actually a series of well thought out choices that contribute to get its costs down without crop quality business

Wall Street closed higher, optimistic for Europe - September 26, 2011

After signing Friday its worst week in three years the New York Stock Exchange rebounded on Monday following the trend-driven European stock markets, boosted by rumors of bank recapitalization. At the close, the Dow gained 2.53% to 11,044.17 points. While the Nasdaq rose 1.36% to 2517.10 points.

The trend, however, may be fragile. Concerns about the strength of global growth and the crisis of public finances in Europe and the United States still weigh investor sentiment. Markets expected a lot more than a joint statement of finance ministers and central bankers from the G20 at the end of the meeting in Washington Thursday. The United States has put pressure again on Saturday for Europe to act more quickly on the public debt."All of us who watch Europe (…) must have admiration for what they are doing and recognize the difficulty," said the BBC the U.S. Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner .

Week crucial for Greece

In the euro area is a race against time to be playing this week to save Greece. The International Monetary Fund (IMF) said that a delegation will travel to Athens this week to determine whether or not the country can benefit from the sixth round of eight billion euros, it vital to avoid bankruptcy. Moreover, Germany will vote Thursday the agreement for the expansion of the scope of the relief fund of the zone (EFSF). Sunday, German Chancellor Angela Merkel expressed confidence the outcome of the vote.Evangelos Venizelos, Greek Minister of Finance, for his part spoke with Jean-Claude Trichet, head of the ECB, a debt restructuring Greek. In an effort to reassure global markets, finance ministers of the euro area are committed in a common text, to "do everything necessary to solve the crisis of debt and financial stability of the area in whole and its Member States. " The idea of ​​taking office faster than expected EFSF has also been raised by Germany this weekend.

EU Commissioner Olli Rehn himself has said that Europeans reflected to provide the EFSF additional instruments, beyond those agreed in July to give "more power" in an interview with Die Welt newspaper.

If no key indicator is not on the agenda of investors on Monday, the rest of the week will be charged.The program includes the index of investor confidence and U.S. consumers (Tuesday), due to the latest estimate of U.S. growth for the second quarter (Thursday).

As for currencies, the euro still appears under the $ 1.35 this morning at 1.3435 dollar. Oil prices, however, went up the slope in morning trading, amid hopes of an agreement to increase the reserve fund for the eurozone. A barrel of "light sweet crude" for delivery in November gained 18 cents to 81 low interest personal loan.04 dollars a barrel and Brent North Sea crude for November delivery took 42 cents to 104.39 dollars.

Values ​​to follow

The Boeing 787 (1.10% to 60.16 dollars) will finally become operational after three years behind schedule. The manufacturer delivered its first Dreamliner yesterday at the Japanese company All Nippon Airways for $ 200 million.The reduction of the unit would save 20% of fuel consumption, according to the manufacturer.

The video sharing site online Netflix (5.08% to 135.93 dollars) has signed a replay of movies with DreamWorks, who has produced the animated film Shrek. Previously linked to the pay channel HBO, the studio is the first American to prefer a website with a conventional chain. The operation could yield $ 30 million per film to DreamWorks, according to analysts.

Note CocaCola (1.29% to 68.29 dollars) intends to invest nearly $ 3 billion (2.2 billion euros) in Russia over the next five years, his strategy being to to increase its presence in emerging markets, said CEO Muhtar Kent told Reuters Insider.

Chevron (0.34% to 90.32 dollars) Monday gave its final green light to a proposed 29 billion Australian dollars (28.4 billion dollars, 21 billion euros) in the liquefied natural gas (LNG ) to Wheatstone, in Western Australia.

Dollar Thrifty (0.70% to $ 60) The car rental group said it expected that its adjusted EBITDA shows a jump between 17% and 28% in the third quarter, and noted the amount of its share buyback program to $ 400 million against 100 million previously.

Bristol-Myers Squibb (0.79% to 31.14 dollars) will be able to cope with the expected drop in sales next year due to the expiration of its patent on Plavix in the U.S. in May , one of the most important drugs in the pharmaceutical group, announced Monday its managing director Lamberto Andreotti.

The website site group purchasing, which aims Groupon a valuation of $ 20 billion, would call into question the timing of IPO. The group is cooled by a volatile market but faces above the federal authorities who refused certain elements of his record says the Wall Street Journal. In addition, the group's director of operations resigned five months after his arrival ..The same day, Groupon has revised down its sales in its IPO document, placing it now at $ 688 million for the first six months of the year, instead of the more than 1.5 billion yet he claimed last month. The net loss was revised down slightly to $ 204 million instead of 205 million. And according to the Wall Street Journal.