Breaking News, World, U.S., Entertainment …

The intense cold wave now raging in France put the electricity infrastructure under strain: Monday evening, 19 hours, consumption has risen to 96,300 megawatts (MW). Near the high of 96,710 MW-which consumption of 15 December 2010.

The transport network has responded effectively to the accelerating demand for energy. Monday afternoon, RTE, a subsidiary of EDF responsible for lines and very high voltage, did not display a particular concern. But vigilance was maximum in the image of the orange alert decreed in Britain and red Paca.

In both regions traditionally sensitive in winter, it is encouraging incentive to conserve water, otherwise proceed to "load shedding", that is to say, targeted cuts. Both alerts are very likely to be renewed on Tuesday. Monday, several communities in the Alpes-Maritimes announced the establishment-or-building measures to reduce consumption, particularly regarding public lighting.

Nuclear at full

In exceptional circumstances at the highest consumption, Great Britain took the first position in terms of French imports of electricity. Of the 6500 MW purchased yesterday 2000 from the United Kingdom, against 1800 MW in Germany payday loan lenders. A first.

Although the EDF nuclear power plants running near capacity of 58 -55 reactors currently operating-, France regularly imports of electricity in winter. Sudden changes in consumption do indeed require the means of production "spike" (hydro, coal, gas, renewable …) while the nuclear provides the "base".

Along with electricity, gas consumption is also found under pressure, due to lower deliveries of Russian gas. Last week, the stocking of gas in France had risen very sensitive. Asked Monday night, GDF Suez noted a slight improvement, however: about 80% of Gazprom's supplies were provided in earlier this week. For its part, the European Commission referred to a normal situation with the Russian giant.

In Italy, however, concern remains high. The oil company ENI could cut gas supplies to some of its corporate customers starting Thursday. On the government side transalpine situation is called "serious".

ALSO READ:

"Europe does not fear a shortage of gas

"Besson:" Nuclear power will remain cheap "

"Electricity consumption fell sharply in France

Filed under: economics, features, international, people, technology by admin Comments Off

While France, Italy and Germany are found in mini-summit in Strasbourg, Portugal is once again in the viewfinder of the rating agencies. Fitch downgraded one notch Thursday note of Portugal, from BBB-to BB +, together with a negative outlook. This decision made the downgrades of Portuguese debt the Safe investments to that of "rotten" or "risky".

"The deep deficit, high debt of all sectors of the economy and poor prospects for growth mean that the country will benefit more than qualified to hold a note type of investment, '" Fitch said in a statement . Portugal should address, according to projections by the agency, in a deep recession in 2012 with a decline in activity of 3%.

Among the areas of concern, the rating agency notes the debt of public enterprises."They have been the cause of upward revisions of the State debt and deficit figures, said Fitch. In this context, we expect a significant risk that new measures were announced in 2012. "Portuguese banks in turn will require a recapitalization, according to Fitch. They are strongly weakened by the debt crisis in Europe and amenable to private sector (firms and households), the most indebted in Europe, said the agency.

A 2012 budget "balanced"

Fortunately, according to Fitch, the Portuguese government is doing well. "The deficit target of 5.9% will be achieved this year, albeit with exceptional measures" and not reproducible in 2012, the agency notes. The 2012 budget, which targets a deficit of 4.5%, is "well designed," she continues. It contains substantial cuts in spending, including retirement pensions and salaries of civil servants.

Filed under: economic, features, opinions, people, publications by admin Comments Off

The European Commission on Tuesday launched its third offensive regulatory three years to reduce the power of rating agencies, suspected of fanning the debt crisis. Hardening through the option of civil action for misconduct or neglect, and a tight control of conflicts of interest.

The blunder of Standard & Poor's, mistakenly announcing the loss of the prestigious AAA of France, may have facilitated the political work of Michel Barnier."We need to ensure themselves of the risk we take," says Michel Barnier.

To achieve this, Brussels lists practical steps payday loans in 1 hour. Any investor can sue for damages "for serious misconduct or gross negligence" of a rating agency. A state will have a period of 24 hours to respond to a rating before it is published. Agencies should be transparency in their methodology.

A special chapter is intended to reduce conflicts of interest. It limits cross-ownership between the agencies and their clients. It also introduces the requirement for a borrower to change the agency after three years (or six if two competing uses).

Filed under: business, opinions, resources, special, technology by admin Comments Off

It's the end of a reign without sharing. Android has become the leading provider of applications, thus dethroning Apple. In the second quarter 2011, the interface for mobile and Google has granted 44% market share against 31% for iOS, passing the 500,000 mark downloaded applications.

Android benefits from the significant increase in the number of users, which has increased significantly over the observation period, while the followers of the Apple brand awaiting the launch of the iPhone 4GS in early October. A study by ABI Research, there are now 2.4 Android users for a user to iOS in the world no fax pay day loan. It will be three to one in 2016. However, the number of applications downloaded per capita is higher among Apple fans, who download almost twice as those of Google.

Booming, the market for applications whets the appetite.Analysts forecast 29 billion downloads this year, against only 9 billion last year. Growth related to the use of smartphones, which grow exponentially. Holders of such smartphones are expected to grow 46% in 2011.

ALSO READ:

"The patents at the heart of the conflict-Apple Samsung

"The new strengths of Android against iPhone 4S

Filed under: features, life, publications, special, top news by admin Comments Off

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.

Filed under: Uncategorized, economics, finance, publications, top news by admin Comments Off

Moody's warned that it was British banks in the crosshairs. So she lowered the notes yesterday of seven small establishments that specialize in mortgages but also five major banks such as Lloyds Banking Group, which comes down a notch to "Aa3" to "A1", and Royal Bank of Scotland , which loses two notches to "A2". She also announced plans to lower the rating for long-term debt of Belgium, currently the second best possible "Aa1." The rating agency said in a statement it would review the country's vulnerability to the crisis of debt in the eurozone, growth prospects and uncertainty surrounding the possible support to the banking system, particularly the establishment Franco-Belgian Dexia.

Moody's, which has deteriorated in the wake of 9 banks in Portugal, is the difference between Portuguese and British situations.If Portugal is the financial institutions that is pointed, this is not the case in the United Kingdom. The decrease is only due to the fact that the government committed to a policy of strict fiscal discipline, is less inclined to support the bankruptcy of its banks, especially smaller ones, "It is more likely that the government is now its most smaller institutions to fail no fax cash loans. The damage does not reflect a deterioration of finances of the banking system or the government. "

Controversy over RBS

So it's the same reason that is invoked only for a few weeks ago degradation of U.S. Citigroup, Bank of America and Wells Fargo on the grounds that the state might be reluctant to help them. Political discourse is to throw doubt on the determination of the support if any one bank.The British finance minister, George Osborne, told the BBC: "People ask me how to prevent the British deposit banks to be in the future? The government is to prepare. As a result, the rating agencies believe that banks will have to prove that they themselves can pay their bills. "

Indeed, the government wants to avoid having to replicate the scheme in 2008. The State had then had to inject billions into troubled institutions, including 22 billion for RBS.

ALSO READ:

"Moody's 9 degrades Portuguese banks

"Banks: new skirmish between the IMF and the EU

Filed under: economy, news, people, technology, top news by admin Comments Off

In recent years, Dexia has moved from an institution offering a regular dividend to a penny stock that ruined its shareholders. The action is worth more than 1.06 euro on Tuesday, down 94% in five years. Until 2010, Dexia was part of the CAC 40 after entering in 1999. We now know the epilogue of a story that could be summed up in three parts: the time of ambitions, a last-minute rescue and collapse.

In 1996, the marriage of Credit Local de France and Credit Communal de Belgique is celebrated with great pomp. It gives birth to a bank player in the financing of local authorities in both France and Belgium. Rather than focus on this specialty, the leaders will demonstrate a burning ambition in the years that follow. The acquisitions will increase. Nothing is too good for executives who leave the checkbook repeatedly.No matter if capital does not follow. Access to liquidity seems unlimited and redemptions can be easily financed. Dexia is the time highly rated by rating agencies.

In 1997, Dexia is a 40% stake in the Italian specialist of financing local authorities. Units held will be brought to 60% in 1998. Especially in 2000, Dexia made two acquisitions that will prove disastrous. The property bought FSA in the United States for 2.7 billion euros. This company called credit enhancer has become over the years one of the insurance behemoth of financial securities. Moreover, again in 2000, Dexia bought Bank Labouchere. A few years later, a scandal will cost several hundred billion euros to Dexia. It turns out that customers of Labouchere bought shares on credit, the establishment of incentive. The crash of 2001-2002 and ruined.

Payment of a dividend is known to be regular and copious

At the time, financial analysts and portfolio managers criticize little Dexia. The bank made steady progress in earnings per share. It pays a dividend is known to be regular and plentiful. Many individual shareholders, entered the capital of Crédit Local in 1991 and have remained loyal to Dexia. No one really makes the fact that the risk profile of the bank has been completely changed.

In 2004-2005, Dexia is the subject of many rumors of marriage. Pierre Richard, the head of the bank, Dexia is that merged with the Italian Sanpaolo. He turned down its directors and officers in Italy. In September 2005, leaders refuse to merge with Dexia Fortis. Rumors of an alliance with Societe Generale also circulating, but nothing concrete emerges from the noise corridor.At the end of 2005, the action is close to 20 euros.

In 2006, is welcomed. It enables Dexia to enter the promising market of the local retail banking. In late April 2007, Dexia's most button above historical 24.51 euros.

Its subsidiary FSA is vulnerable

When the subprime crisis broke, the bank is discreet. She knows that its subsidiary FSA is vulnerable. The leaders tried to reassure but the 2008 financial crisis and the bankruptcy of Lehman Brothers will put the institution to its knees. In autumn 2008, the CDC, the State and the Belgian regions implement a capital increase of EUR 6.4 billion. In addition, the Belgian, French and Luxembourg governments were forced to implement security to enable the bank to borrow again.

Despite reduction measures and restructuring the balance sheet, and his teams have not managed to recover the bank.The task was daunting given a totally unbalanced balance sheet. The latest figures, Dexia had 6.9 billion euros of capital to 517 billion euros of assets. Shareholders are ruined and no one said that the action could still have value in the coming months. As for local governments, many of them are dissatisfied because the Dexia led to raise loans in Swiss francs to take advantage of the difference in interest rates. Only the value of the Swiss franc has soared, and the weight of loans proved unbearable for many communities.

ALSO READ:

"SPECIAL – Depression: Banks in turmoil

Filed under: business, economy, online, people, resources by admin Comments Off

State budget pressure forces, the army is also looking for sources of savings. For example, by outsourcing certain activities through public-private partnerships (PPP), as authorized by an order of 2004. This solution, released Thursday, used by the Directorate General of armemement (DGA) for the renovation and operation of computer networks of the Air Force. It is the latter's second PPP, but the first in computer networks and communications. This task was assigned to a pool of companies, led by Alcatel-Lucent.One hundred sites will be to equip several hundred buildings and 36,000 wired "access points" (to connect a computer or system) in very high speed to install with the latest generation of optical fiber.

This contract runs on sixteen for a value of 350 million euros, the amount of the fee to be paid by the Air Force. The economy of the State is estimated at "tens of millions of euros" through the pooling of engineering resources with other projects that also piloting Alcatel-Lucent. The gain is not only economic: the rapid deployment of networks "will allow the bases of the Air Force to have the most advanced technologies." In addition, the provider has made commitments in terms of availability and reliability of networks, together with a penalty system.The contract also includes an obligation to "up-date" mid-life, so that the networks have the latest technology payday lenders.

The most basic to confidential defense

The project will begin in the coming weeks and deployment of the network will be completed in three years. The first "job" however the network will be operational by late 2012. In total 50,000 people are affected by the implementation of these networks that manage the flow of general computer air force, operational information – including monitoring the French airspace – as well as data for preparing missions and conduct operations. This, with a level and a degree of protection from the most basic information to the "secret NATO" or "confidential defense".In this regard, the staff of the state will retain control over the management of cryptographic hardware.

This is the second PPP signed by the Air Force. In 2008, the School of Dax, which trains helicopter pilots of the French Army, jumped on it. She chose the company as DCI external service provider, by entrusting its helicopter fleet, maintenance, and flight hours. All in under a current contract on twenty-two years to 400 million euros, 600 million less than if the school had continued to manage everything herself.

ALSO READ:

"Alcatel-Lucent is back on the benefits

Filed under: finance, opinions, people, special, technology by admin Comments Off

After a rebound during the session, Wall Street has finally caught up by letting the gloom hanging over global stock markets for two weeks at the close on Friday, the Dow Jones gives 1.57% to 10,818.48 points and the Nasdaq, dominated by technology loses 1.32 points 2341.86.

After opening in the red, the indices of New York had yet managed to climb briefly into the green. Before ending again in the red. Of all black this week, the Dow Jones lost 3.71% and the Nasdaq fell 6.53%.

This Friday, the NYSE has not been spared by the new storm that struck the European stock exchanges and which had already shaken the stock markets in Asia. Yesterday, as elsewhere, the New York Stock Exchange closed down a massive, affected by disappointing indicators released during the meeting confirming the poor performance of the U.S. economy.Moreover, operators, already worried by the economy of the euro area, were cooled by the large loan dollars awarded by the European Central Bank (ECB) to a bank in Europe, whose identity has not been revealed. This action has reinforced doubts about the ability of banks to refinance the region. The euro also declined against the dollar and is trading around 1.4290 dollars against 1.4319 on Thursday.

Finally, Morgan Stanley confirmed the fears of a global economic slowdown by scaling back its growth forecasts for 2011 and 2012. The bank also said the United States and Europe were "dangerously close to recession."

Evidence that the operators' confidence is at its lowest, gold, a safe haven par excellence, is powered from yesterday to new heights.On Friday, an ounce reached a new record in 1864 dollars after jumping up to 1867.30 dollars in the morning. For its part, a barrel of U.S. light crude oil, which fell 6% yesterday, still lost 12 cents Friday to 82.26 dollars a barrel. Over the whole week, he lost 3.12 dollars, or 3.65%, registering a fourth weekly loss in a row. Contracts on October Brent have lost them for their $ 1.63 to 108.62 dollars a barrel.

Values ​​of the day

On the corporate side, this session will be marked by a slump in Hewlett-Packard, which lost just over 20% to 23.60 dollars. The group published its results on Thursday lowered its annual forecast for the third consecutive time. It now expects an annual turnover of between 127.2 and 127.6 billion dollars, against a previous estimate of between 129 and 130 billion.The group, which has made a takeover offer for the British publisher of software Autonomy, has also announced plans to dispose of its business in personal computers. Another major surprise: HP goes out of business in the mobile, arresting the development of tablets and smartphones.

Bank of America (-1.14% to 6.93 dollars) will remove 3500 positions during the quarter, according to an internal document cited by Reuters.

Autodesk (-11.69% to 23.41 dollars) has reported a 6% increase in revenues in the second quarter and a net profit better than expected at 71.2 million euros, or 30 cents per share.

Gap (-8.61% to 10.67 dollars) on Thursday posted quarterly earnings above expectations of analysts, despite a decline in sales to a number of store.Net income for the group totaled $ 189 million (131.8 million), or 35 cents a share, against $ 234 million, or 36 cents per share a year earlier.

ALSO READ:

Filed under: business, people, publications, resources, technology by admin Comments Off

Much bagaille should be avoided. While seven union stewards and hostesses of Air France had filed a strike notice for the next weekend (July 29 to August 1), the airline has come this Saturday morning to sign the minutes of end of conflict with union representatives. What not to many flight cancellations in the great cross-driven summer from July to August, and escape the nightmare scenario met in mid-July by the customers of Air Algeria. The Algerian company was also affected by a strike of its crews, resulting in the virtual paralysis of European flights to the country.

Whereas yesterday, the agreement has been finally found Saturday afternoon between the airline and the Inter (CGT, CFDT, CFTC, Unac, NPNC and UNSA), resulting in the lifting of the strike notice filed Monday.Only Southern Air has so far not given its approval. The seven organizations representing the commercial crews (PNC) called for the opening of negotiations on the organization of work, especially in the bases in the provinces, but also the medium-haul and long haul. This is now done, the group of Pierre-Henri Gourgeon has agreed to reopen discussions on the new rules of work (rest, compensation) provided to counter competition from low cost carriers.

Reopen negotiations next week

On this point, the flight attendants are opposed to such requirements in the new provincial bases (Marseille and Nice, Toulouse and Bordeaux) and denounce the proposed removal of a sailing aboard the Airbus A319 payday advance.They are supported in their claims by two minority unions of pilots (SPAF and Alter) who in turn refused to lift their notice for the next weekend. "The company has agreed to supply four A319 in the PNC until September 15," said Philippe Sport at UNSA. If it is impossible to have this number, the flight attendants should receive compensation (rest or premium). For its part, Air France said that the continuation of strike notice SPAF and Alter would have no significant impact on traffic. The reopening of negotiations with the flight crew should take place in the course of next week.

Still, the difficulties are not entirely discarded the French company, far from it. Management must also deal with Algeria-leAir SNPL resumption of talks, the union super majority in pilots.While the SNPL signed to 54% the proposed new work organization. But this time, the battle moves to the front of pensions. The powerful union remains opposed to the proposed reform of the pension fund additional pilots. Where a notice of strike filed this time from August 5 to 8, another busy weekend on the front of air traffic and going on holiday.

ALSO READ:

"Algeria-Air passengers compensated?

"Air-Algeria resumption of talks

Filed under: events, money, online, special, world by admin Comments Off