How Facebook imposes its currency - July 8, 2011

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This will be the next revolution Facebook. With nearly 750 million members, the social network is already in the shade to the e-mail to photo sharing sites like Flickr and Google. Today, Facebook is opening a new front, which could result in a "blitzkrieg" on the virtual economy. His weapon: a virtual currency, the Facebook Credits, poised to become the electronic purse of any user.

Launched quietly a year ago and a half, Facebook Credits are required on the site since July 1. Now any game publisher or service on Facebook to provide the currency of the site, in addition to its own virtual currency, like the FarmCash well known to fans of the game Farmville.Credits can be bought on the Facebook site with a card, a Paypal account, payment systems such as mobile Zong, even – as in the U.S. – via physical gift cards sold in supermarkets.

Major industrial

Facebook Credits against such exchange of virtual goods in games like Farmville, PyramidZ and Empires & Allies, or, as suggested by the film studio Warner, against VOD movies. In the U.S., fans of télécrochets as "X-Factor" and "American Idol" can be used to vote for their preferred candidates, replacing the virtual currency of Facebook to Premium SMS.Eventually, all things virtual – an mp3 download, buy a newspaper article online, a coupon obtained by locating in a shop with his mobile telephone minutes of … on Skype – could Facebook Credits currencies.

"The use of Facebook Credits is required, but not exclusive," nuance Codorniou Julien, director of partnerships Facebook France. "This includes the game, but the media as Warner Bros, music, video, box office. This will ensure the liquidity of the currency on all services, "explains Julien Codorniou.Specifically, "consumers will increasingly lead the Facebook FarmCash Credits and less" analysis Michaël Amar, CEO and cofounder of Ifeelgoods, a U.S. company that provides e-merchants to offer Facebook in place of Credits vouchers to their customers.

For Facebook, the Credits are an industrial issue. In fact, each editor service that offers its users to pay Facebook Credits reverse 30% of the value of the transaction of the social network. For example, on a rented movie for 30 Credits Facebook, or 3 dollars, by a user, Warner will donate 90 cents to Facebook. These commissions will quickly become an important part of revenue from Facebook. "We want to go as soon as possible and as widely as possible to diversify our revenue," said Julien Codorniou.Already, sales are "significant" for Facebook, which still generates most of its revenue through advertising. To get an idea, just look at the business volume of Zynga, a major partner of Facebook and subject, like others, to pay the 30% commission, the publisher has made 850 million euros sales in 2010. Its revenues are expected to reach $ 1.5 billion in 2011.

Social games

It's not for nothing that Mark Zuckerberg, CEO and cofounder of Facebook, has made the article social game publishers during his visit to Paris in late May for the e-G8: "The game publishers have found that people preferred to play where their friends are Zynga and imported the social dimension in the game Why gaming is gone first? Because it is a very social experience at first.I think that other media will follow as music, newspapers, books, "he said.

For now, Facebook provides not want to conquer the physical properties of electronic commerce with its virtual currency. In shops in Facebook, the social network rather "Facebook experience on third party sites." "In the coming months will spread features such as" Shop with friends "(buy with friends), Julien Codorniou details. This is not to create shops on Facebook, but to bring its online store friends of the people. "These purchases on the site of a merchant with his Facebook identity will feed the basis of information available to the social network members, and facilitate its advertising sales.

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The bank saddled the Asian side - June 27, 2011

The stock markets in the Asia-Pacific begins this week in the gloom. The Tokyo Stock Exchange declined since the beginning of the session on Monday: around 7 am, the Nikkei folds of 0.54% to 9625.99 points. In China, the Hong Kong Hang Seng drops 0.66% to 22,025.30 points but the CSI Shanghai is 0.38% to 3038.89 points. In South Korea, the KRX yield 0.60% while in Sydney the S & P / ASX retrograde more frankly about 1.02% to 4462.10 points.

Bank stocks crippling trend. HSBC Holdings 1.51% of trips in Hong Kong, Mizuho Financial and Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group lost 1.6%, respectively, and 1% at the meeting in Tokyo. Commonwealth Bank of Australia loose it, 0.85%.

The mood is worsened by the U.S. markets, which fell sharply on Friday night. The indexes fell to new technology very important. Greece still worried but the situation in the United States also remains fragile.Side values, the technology sector pulled down the indices including Oracle, which fell 4.06% against a backdrop of disappointing results. So, in Asia, the sector is shunned: Sony Japan lost 1.6%, for example.

Oil companies are also suffering: Japan Petroleum sells and 2.23%, the Australian group Santos yields 2.26% and PetroChina, 0.2%. Oil prices continue to fall on Monday, given the recurring concerns about the solvency of Greece and after the announcement of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IEA) to dip into its strategic reserves. This has brought down the barrel of 7.7% in two sessions. In morning trading, a barrel of "light sweet crude" for August delivery lost 65 cents to 90.51 dollars. That of Brent North Sea crude for August delivery yielded 67 cents to 104.45 dollars.

The AG Tepco looks hectic

Note also that the operator of the nuclear power plant in Fukushima, Tokyo Electric Power (TEPCO: 4.22% to 321 yen), meets Tuesday its shareholders at a general meeting expected under high tension.

The share value of the power company has shrunk about 85% since the accident on March 11, caused by a giant tsunami, which resulted in the emission of radiation into the atmosphere, sea and the soil surrounding the plant located 220 km northeast of Tokyo.

Units of riot police plan to deploy around the large hotel which will host the debate, due to events expected from residents of the prefecture of Fukushima and anti-nuclear activists.

Bourget: the battle begins commands - June 21, 2011

First day of opening of the Paris Air Show and business already struggling for their full long-awaited appointment of professionals. Before an audience of professionals in the aerospace, Nicolas Sarkozy called the area "to meet the challenges of globalization." "If we're not competitive, there is more than aviation industry, he said. There is only one possible strategy, the challenge of globalization by being more innovative, more creative and more competitive. "

The state has "a role" in the strategic industrial sectors, also recalled the president, referring to the "decades of public investment" in aeronautics and the level of credit facilities granted to the defense "despite the crisis ".So it is "no way" to abandon the research tax credit, assured Nicolas Sarkozy, adding that allocations of "20 billion euros of expenses" provided in the large loan will be confirmed "in a few days ".

• Boeing signed the first major order

Qatar Airways opened the show Monday orders. The airline, growing, has ordered six Boeing 777-300 long-haul aircraft ER for a list price of $ 1.7 billion. It already has 25 Boeing, including 15 Boeing 777. "The Boeing 777 continues to play a key role in our development strategy," said the CEO of the national airline of Qatar, Akbar Al Baker.
President Nicolas Sarkozy and Valerie Pécresse, Minister of Higher Education and Research, met the head of EADS, Louis Welsh.

Lagarde said a candidate for the leadership of the IMF - May 25, 2011

The French Minister of Economy Christine Lagarde said on Wednesday his candidacy official in the Directorate General of International Monetary Fund (IMF).

"I decided to present my candidacy for the general direction of the International Monetary Fund," she said at a news conference at his ministry. She said she was comforted by the support of many countries and agreed that it was a "huge challenge" to run the estate of Dominique Strauss-Kahn, who resigned after being charged with attempted rape .

Christine Lagarde said to have "quite a clear conscience" in the case Tapie, where it could be investigated for abuse of authority because of his role in the arbitration award in favor of the man business. If the investigation should be launched, then "I will maintain my candidacy," said the minister.

The IMF plans to appoint by the end of June the new IMF chief. Applications may be filed from Monday until June 10

Adriana Karembeu scrolls to the Exchange - May 4, 2011

On Wednesday morning, Adriana Karembeu scrolls at the Palais Brongniart. More precisely, the model of Slovak origin, who was elected in 2006 sexiest woman in the world, presented its business plan for its cosmetic company AKD, along with his partner Alain Legout guaranteed online payday loans. It aims to introduce the SME founded six years ago on the open market. Last year, AKD has made 900,000 euros in sales and 382,000 euros in losses.

The player has to use default in the articles of figaro.fr. maj1

62,000 new employees at McDonalds - April 30, 2011

On 19 April the fast food giant McDonald's was organized, with lots of communication, a great day for hiring new employees, announcing wanting to recruit 50,000 in the United States. This Friday, the group published the results of this: 62,000 people were detained, more than one million applications filed on that occasion. Thousands of people had also pressed the day before said signs of the chain which held such a day for the first time.

"I hope this initiative will be the beginning of the redefinition of employment at McDonald's," says vice president of human resources Danitra Barnett. The challenge for the famous fast food chain was good to improve the image of the job at McDonald's, more often associated with only a small job positions opening outlook.We are talking across the Atlantic "McJobs" to refer to jobs that paid as little challenging!

The state of the labor market in the United States, yet difficult, has also enabled the brand to attract many candidates. The unemployment rate is currently 8.8% in the U.S., its lowest level in two years, but new jobless claims are rising sharply divided during the third week of April, according to figures from the Administration.

Peugeot: the emerging support sales - April 21, 2011

Peugeot's success in emerging markets. The automaker's sales rose 10.2% to 15.4 billion euros in the first quarter, supported by demand from BRIC countries.

In Russia, PSA Peugeot Citroen has seen its sales grow by 94.6% compared to last year with 15,600 vehicles sold in the first quarter. In Latin America, Group sales rose by 16.1%. And China, sales have also soared, with an increase of 15.1% with 102,600 cars sold. Conversely, in Europe, sales fell by 5.6% with 575,400 vehicles sold.

Furthermore, PSA maintains its outlook with an operating profit of the automotive division "higher than 2010."The group believes that the "contribution of the performance plan to the tune of 1.1 billion euros to more than offset the significant increase in raw material costs and other direct production costs." In addition, results from current operations of its subsidiary Faurecia, Gefco and Banque PSA Finance "should show up in 2011."

Resumption of dividend payments after a two year freeze

Peugeot has confirmed its outlook despite the impact of the disaster in Japan. The manufacturer estimates the cost of the quake about 150 million euros on operating income. Peugeot but warned: "The situation was however returned to normal, the group remains alert to its evolution."

Meanwhile, the group's supervisory board decided to submit to a vote of shareholders in general meeting on May 31 next, a dividend of 1.1 euros per share, after two years of interruption.

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Total: Sarkozy critique of "indecent" - April 14, 2011

Nothing goes between the oil sector and the state. At a meeting with parliamentarians UMP, Nicolas Sarkozy slammed the remarks of the CEO of Total, Christophe de Margerie, who was considered inevitable that a liter of super jumps to 2 euros. "The remarks of Mr. de Margerie per liter to 2 euros are indecent", told the president before launching: "I'll do it."

Christophe de Margerie was expressed as the price of super unleaded 95 had just set a new record at 1.53 euros per liter. About the boss of Total were subsequently taken over by the President of the French Union of Petroleum Industries, Jean-Louis Schilansky.

Christophe de Margerie was also described the contribution required of oil tankers to stem the rising fuel prices as "very short-term solution."He also stressed that with flex fuel price increases, and that this promises to be sustainable. Consequently, Total decided yesterday, after a central committee of business, open a voluntary departure plan for a hundred people per year until the end of 2017, in its refining sector in France .

To offset soaring fuel prices, the state has asked the oil industry to get their hands in their pockets to the tune of 115 million euros. On I-TV last night, Segolene Royal, Socialist candidate in the primaries PS, Nicolas Sarkozy has proposed to go further and "ask the premier to make an order blocking the rising price of gasoline."

Pressures on oil prices, and renewed debate on nuclear power after the accident Fukushima, grow to a global reflection on the energy policy of France.Alternative, the use of shale gas could be rejected. Yesterday, Francois Fillon has indeed called "revoke licenses already issued" for the exploitation of these deposits, including the environmental impact is controversial.

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In 2013, Chinese tourists will supplant the Japanese - March 31, 2011

Promise to all first place overall, China will soon add a line to his list. From 2013, spending by Chinese tourists will exceed those of the Japanese in 2020, they will be shoulder to shoulder with the Americans, the current leader.

A recent study by the Boston Consulting Group (BCG), the expenditure of the Chinese during their travel in their country and worldwide will grow 14% annually to reach 898 billion dollars (638 billion euros) in ten years. In other words, China is poised to become the second largest market for travel agencies, and will overtake the U.S. in recent years.Rising incomes and the desire to travel are such that each year 25 million Chinese will go sightseeing for the first time in ten years

These expenditures will cover half the cost of travel themselves, and half of various purchases including luxury goods. It's rather good news for France all that travelers do not buy only for themselves but for their knowledge. Indeed, more than half of them would leave with a shopping list cash advance in one hour.

These travelers from mainland China but also Taiwan, Hong Kong and Macao in 2020 will represent a quarter of tourists landing in Japan or South Korea.In Europe, the arrivals will be multiplied by four, but Asia is still a preferred destination.

This desire to discover the planet has been anticipated by the national tourist boards who scrambled at the last international fair in Shanghai. If the flag of France was busy, that Denmark has created the event. It hosted the Little Mermaid in Copenhagen, which for the first time leaving his country. The game is worth it: 100 million Chinese tourists are expected worldwide by 2020 against 5.5 million now. If the United States, Australia, and Japan – the study was conducted before the catastrophic cir March 11 – are the three destinations, France is ranked fifth behind Thailand but ahead of all other European countries . Paris and shops have not lost their power of attraction.

The State Council dismisses the solar - January 29, 2011

Power projects and large solar photovoltaic systems on roofs remain suspended until March 9, as requested by the government. The approximately eighty companies solar and association without borders ecology grouped under the collective "Hands off my panel" did not in fact been successful with the State Council. The judge Philip Martin on Friday rejected their petition calling for the suspension of three-month moratorium declared on December 9 by the government.

Reason Referee: no emergency justified to suspend the moratorium. The judge took "into account the public interest associated with reviewing the system of incentives to produce solar electricity," the statement said the State Council.Multiannual programming set a target of 5400 megawatts (MW) of installed photovoltaic end of 2020, said the State Council. Yet in late 2010, the "queue" of projects submitted by producers (excluding individuals) was a 5375 MW capacity. The supreme administrative court invokes the extra support to solar for the consumer but "without advancing any numbers," says Alexandre Faro, lawyer of several applicants.

Consultation at Bercy

The judge nevertheless acknowledges "that the decree could lead to the companies involved economic harm." "I invested about 200 000 euros in roofing projects in agriculture", explained last week, outside the hearing of the State Council, Charles-Louis Utruy, founder of the micro-enterprise Fransola payday loan lenders.The freezing of the queue by the government, "it is a year of work in the trash and all that money lost staff.

The profession was divided on whether to sue the decree. "We do not wish to participate in this action because we considered unproductive: he plunges into the profession even more uncertainty," says Andre Antolini, president of the Renewable Energy Association (SER). Meanwhile, the consultation meetings are linked to Bercy."Not everything is written," the president trusts the SER.

Thierry Lepercq, president of Solairedirect, like many of his colleagues, however, believes that "the government's intentions leave no room for discussion: lower prices and volumes for smaller plants, lower rates and also opening bidding for large installations. "The tender squeeze smaller players like us," says Charles-Louis Utruy.

And if the annual cap of 500 MW planned by the government is maintained, many firms will abandon the sun provides me Faro.The latter looks certain customers compensatory remedies ErDF cons (a subsidiary of EDF, which bought the photovoltaic current), ahead of the commercial courts, as entering the queue, producers received a guarantee of the purchase price before that the decree of December 9 cancel their projects.

The new rules are expected in mid-February.