- November 16, 2011

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).

Sony headphones for movies and 3D games - October 21, 2011

The immersion is total. Sony caused a sensation at the Salon of video games Porte de Versailles in Paris, showing for the first time in France, his helmet virtual reality video games and movies in 3D.

By this headset, the viewer looks at the images as if they were in the middle of a movie theater in front "of a screen 19 feet wide and 20 meters away," providing its designers. Perception is indeed surprising. Two small screens (in the technology known as OLED, the most advanced flat panel displays) replace the glass of each pair of glasses. As each screen projects an image of the other complementary to each eye, the viewer has the perception of stereoscopic vision. Refreshing images done in record time (0.01 seconds), giving an impression of fluidity. Immersion increases when the music and the sounds coming out of headphones.Better than a stereo sound quality was improved (as 5.1, for the purists). Suitable for a game console PlayStation 3, Sony headphones, codenamed HMZ-T1, provides a home theater payday loans for bad credit.

Price from 800 euros

Technology has made progress since the first generation of virtual reality goggles in the late 1990s, designed by the American group including Silicon Graphics.

In the show, to demonstrate the immersion in video games, Sony has coupled his special helmet to the video game Uncharted 3: the illusion of Drake, launched exclusively for the PS3. With a gesture of the hand on the joystick, and the gun is triggered, another movement, the landscape of the game is running.

This revolutionary headset will be sold in mid-November. But technology has a price, very high in this case: 800 euros.What Sony does not expect to sell hundreds of thousands on the occasion of Christmas.

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Moody's attacks British institutions - October 9, 2011

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.

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In Marseille, Air France made its "revolution" - October 1, 2011

This Saturday is the big day of the first Air France flight operated since its "base" of Marseille. A double "revolution" for the French company. This, after the creation of Transavia, made a new incursion into the territory of low-cost, with an offer less expensive than its usual rates. Low prices made possible by an innovative organization that plans to base in Marseille to Paris and not personnel and aircraft. The flight time of the first will be more concentrated, and rotating equipment more efficient, allowing the company to realize operational cost savings estimated at 15%. 130 pilots and 250 flight attendants volunteered.

LE FIGARO. – Air France opens its first base on Saturday from province to Marseille will be followed by Nice, Toulouse and Bordeaux.What are your rules for the selection of the fifty new roads you open on the four bases?

Bruno Matheu. – On each base, some of the routes we operate already own and through our regional subsidiaries will see capacity increase as in Marseille and Lille. Due to lower our costs, we can offer a very innovative pricing. In addition, there will be many new destinations: 13 from Marseille. We chose these routes according to their traffic potential, but also their competitive position.We have deliberately avoided the roads on which two low-cost competition or are already in those to the hubs of our main European competitors.

In the current state of reservations, are there any lines that work better than others, especially when they compete with an offer of low-cost companies like Ryanair?

Among the destinations that start strong include new routes to the Middle East (Beirut, Istanbul). We offer "all inclusive", which is not the same as that of a low-cost, has found its place.The many services that are and will remain free: registration, a snack on board, the daily press … make the trip easier and more enjoyable credit score.

What do these bases to Air France?

In addition to new roads, with the creation of databases province is a small revolution that is underway within the company towards more decentralization, towards more accountability. Each base will function like a small company with the Regional Director will be the "boss". Commercial agent of call, hostess, steward or pilot, everyone has a responsibility to Marseille. The objective is to improve responsiveness while being firmly rooted in local life.The strong motivation of our teams will enable us to do.

Lyon Why does it not in your list of bases?

In Lyon, our current operation in place for many years, follows a different logic: the planes converge to Lyon early in the morning to feed a first range of correspondence, while on the bases they make their first step at the start of the base. In addition, our policy is much more focused on business passengers. However, discussions are ongoing and we do not exclude changes in our model Lyon.

Are there mass transport from province to province?

The cross-linking major regional cities without passing through Paris undoubtedly represent a real potential for Air France and its regional subsidiaries. Today the car is our main competitor in this type of lines.To us to convince potential customers of the benefits of air transport. The basics of province should be involved.

Why the market capitalization of major airlines is so low?

Air transport is a cyclical business and sensitive to the economic development because the traffic is directly related to growth. Uncertain times we penalize strongly, especially where oil, which accounts for 30% of our costs, is at levels as high. But our current market capitalization does not reflect the value of our business portfolio or that of our assets.

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Adidas innovates in France - August 13, 2011

Coq sportif gradually reinvesting its native lands of the Dawn, capitalizing on its image Franco-French. The sports equipment was reinstalled last year in Romilly-sur-Seine near Troyes – a few miles from Sodimedical, society in turn threatened to relocate – in the industrial cradle he was born there one hundred thirty years.

If production is largely carried out in Portugal, the group is established with the help of the town hall, a center of development of its textile lines in September 2010. "In this economy, every job is important!" Notes Eric Vuillemin, mayor of the town, who was involved up to 700,000 euros for the renovation of the site.Models of the brand are now developed, and to do that, fifteen jobs were created.

Flexibility

Like Rossignol, another French brand of sport with relocated, the move comes as part of the recovery of the group in trouble after its acquisition by Adidas in the 70's. 22 years after leaving France, the new owner of Adidas in 2005, the Swiss investment fund Aires, has chosen to focus its strategy on the high end and quality French.

By refusing to subcontract as the creation of other brands and product development, Adidas claims to have improved in quality and uniqueness guaranteed payday loans. "We control our now in-house research and development, what sets us apart from the competition," it is argued.Like many companies that have relocated, the brand is also pleased to have shortened the production time and thus become more flexible.

Fifteen new jobs created

Two advantages that should further strengthen next year. Because the group now plans to relocate for the first time a production unit in France, always in Romilly-sur-Seine. The new plant, expected to be operational in early 2012, will produce the high quality collections of the brand. Fifteen new jobs will be created.

This repositioning has been paying more. Profitable since 2009, the brand registered in 2010 a turnover of 89.8 million euros, up 8% over the previous year.While Adidas is still a small player in the sports equipment, compared to giants Nike, Adidas and Puma, Airesis stresses that its market share in footwear in France is increasing from 6% to 9% last year .

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Facebook debauchery of the old Apple - August 3, 2011

Facebook announced Tuesday the acquisition of Push Pop Press, a publisher of books, multimedia touch pads co-founded by two former Apple Kimon Tsiteris and Mike Matas. Little known to the general public, the two men worked on the interface and software key on the iPhone and iPad.

Apple, Mike Matas has participated in the design of several interface elements of the iPhone, as the camera, the display of the battery and phone settings. Tsiteris with Kimon, he also worked on the mapping software for iPad."Mike Matas is responsible or has had responsibility for most of the best and most exuberant designs in recent times" at Apple, said the blogger John Gruber, familiar with the company.

Team Press Push Pop account other well-respected engineers in its ranks, as Austin Sarner, who worked for Sofa, publisher of software for Mac already bought in June by Facebook. On Twitter, the former head of the development of the implementation of Facebook for iPhone, Joe Hewitt, said he hoped "that the acquisitions of Pop Push Press and sofa style mean that Facebook is more like that of Apple that of Microsoft. "

An application for iPad

Facebook confirmed that some engineers Pop Push Press join its ranks, without specifying their assignment.Pop Push Press, who had noted earlier this year by publishing a book multimedia Al Gore for the iPad, will cease operations. "Facebook does not begin to publish electronic books, but the ideas and technology that are behind Push Pop Press will be integrated with Facebook," commented Mike Matas and Kimon Tsinteris. For example, to better present the interactive content, suggests the New York Times.

The future of Facebook application iPad was published in error last week.

EDF and Areva strengthen partnership - July 26, 2011

After months of tensions, the thaw begins between Areva and EDF. Luc Oursel, the president of the giant nuclear conducted this afternoon in his first official friendly in its factory in Saint-Marcel, near Chalon-sur-Saone, the chairman of EDF, Henri Proglio. The symbol is strong. And the two heavyweights of the team of France's nuclear formalized their merger by signing three agreements "technical and commercial." The event was announced by The Tribune before being confirmed by the Minister of Industry, Eric Besson, who also visited the site of Saône-et-Loire.

Luc Oursel assured wanting to "write a new page" in the history of relations between Areva and EDF. For its part, Proglio said that "Areva is intended to be a major partner of EDF".

Specifically, these agreements should help to clarify the relationship between the two groups.They focus on "the pursuit of optimizing the EPR, increased maintenance of the park" and "the strengthening of industrial cooperation on the storage of radioactive waste." Described as "historic in some ways" by Eric Besson on France Inter this morning, they aim to "ensure consistency throughout the French nuclear industry."

"A willingness to cooperate more»

A fourth agreement should focus on optimizing the third generation EPR reactor, improved maintenance and operation of existing nuclear plants, to prepare for extending the period of operation beyond 40 years and the management of the Nuclear Fuel Cycle.

The date of its signature was not specified, but it should occur in September, according to a promise of college participants in the meeting.Which will complete the strategic partnership, called by President Nicolas Sarkozy in July 2010.

The two companies also intend to continue discussions on the development of medium-power reactor Atmea, in which EDF would not participate. But these discussions will lead to another executive that the contracts mentioned Monday.

Another point of interest between the two groups that was you today, the assumption of an equity investment by the electrician in the future mining subsidiary of Areva is "neither foreseen nor ruled out," says Eric Besson. "There is a current subsidiary of the Areva mining activity that had been recorded and we will see who will enter the capital," he said. The latter, however, said on France Inter does not "feel" at Henri Proglio will "particular" to enter the capital of Areva."I feel from Proglio a willingness to cooperate more with Areva, what we today RECORDED agreements very important, but I do not feel particular pressure at home to enter the capital of Areva" said he. No details were given about not e the two leaders after their meeting.

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The French should expect more rigorous - July 22, 2011

French, whatever the next president, get ready to shake your belt! Thursday, according to documents as a basis for negotiation, Paris was about to commit, as all the capitals of the euro area that are not within the scope of a program of assistance, to below 3% deficit in 2013 "at the latest." A number in the Maastricht Treaty in 1992, stalled for years, and seems about to revive …

In recent months, France has undertaken vis-à-vis Brussels to reduce the government deficit (state, local government, social security) to 6% of GDP in 2011, 4.6% in 2012 and finally precisely, to 3% in 2013.But this promise of the Fillon government takes a turn this time much more solemn.

The government has already ensured that he would take in Brussels "all necessary measures to respect the path of public finances notified in the stability program." He planned to continue the non-replacement of an official two retiring, reducing the operational expenditure of the state by 10% in three years to review all the operating expenses (66 billion euros) to make the same effort as running costs, and above all to continue the removal of tax and social niches.

On this last point, the new Minister of Economy, Baroin, began to prepare minds to new cuts.It is "very likely that we will go through the Finance Act 2012, beyond the 3 billion reduction in planned niches," he said in an interview with Le Figaro Magazine last week.

Increased tax burden

Because it considers the government's growth forecast (2.5%) too optimistic and they fear that public spending grows at the same pace as the past decade, the Senate Finance Committee has also recently warned that should get up to 11 billion euros of revenue or additional savings next year.

As for the Socialist Party, already in his primary campaign, he will have soon detailing how it intends to meet a commitment that is now required for all political camps if he returned to power next year.Because he wants to play the card of the seriousness, the goal of a return to 3% in 2013 is also included in its program. But for this, less emphasis on spending cuts than on tax burden increased by 50 billion.

The theme of discipline inevitably hover on the presidential campaign.

The big chill on summer products - July 13, 2011

Click the preview to enlarge the graphic.

The wave of picnics and barbeques in the spring, made possible by an exceptionally favorable weather, had precipitated the French on the shelves of hypermarkets. Sales of water (8.2%), soft drinks (9.5%) and beer and cider (10.5%) had experienced progression insolent March-May (compared to the same period last year), according to data collected by SymphonyIRI. With highs in the purchase of ice cream and other frozen desserts (22.1%). Until insecticides (34.1%).

Manufacturers liked to dream of a vintage 2011 special that would forget the disappointing weather of August 2010. In fact, the weather will be "saved" a consumer already soft.

Even if the summer is still in its infancy, the reversal of June weather has dampened hopes.The rain and temperatures below normal even led to a decline in sales of water (-3.8%), beer and cider (-3.6%) and ice (-3.8%) the last month. Depressed by bad weather, the French have drowned their sorrow in soups, whose consumption is spread (+6.8%) after having faltered in the spring (-13.1%). They also caught up on purchases of frozen quiches and other savory (+7%). Our citizens spend more time indoors, ready meals have also been popular last month (5%).

The end of "catch up"

Beyond these products susceptible to weather, changes in consumption in June promises to be a turnaround. "Over the years, stopping at the end of February, the consumer was doing extremely well, says Jacques Dupré, Director at Insight SymphonyIRI.And all the rays took advantage of the situation in times of great price stability, or even deflation (-0.3% year to date through February). "

After having tightened their belts during the crisis, consumers are caught up by buying products "pleasure" as the food caterer. Then, as he did fine, the French continued to spend, which supported consumption in the spring. Furthermore, while retailers announced in March of annual price increases of close to 2%, the increases were not noticeable ray (0.7%) with the exception of certain categories of products such as flour, oil or coffee, closely linked to changes in raw materials."Despite the boost from the weather, we started to see a real slowdown in early May, with growth in sales of consumer products by 1%, with inflation of 1.3% on same month, "says Jacques Dupré.

From May to June, the price increase (2.2% in June compared to June 2010) has changed all that. If it has boosted sales of consumer goods (+2.6%), it may slow consumer spending over the coming months. "If future inflation was 2.5%, we could have a single stable consumption volume close to zero in hypermarkets and supermarkets on the end of the year," said Jacques Dupré. According Gaëlle Le Floch, Director Strategic Insight in WorldPanel Kantar, "private labels could then have a playing card."

Portugal becomes a risky investment for Moody's - July 6, 2011

Greece occupies the minds of the rating agencies, but they do not forget Portugal. If the first could be lacking to believe Moody's or Standard & Poor's, the second concern. Moody's lowers in just four clicks of the note term. "The deterioration in the context of adversity reveals the crisis of sovereign debt and vulnerabilities of the Portuguese economy," says the Ministry of Finance in a communiqué.L rating agency is the first American to relegate Portugal in the class of investments "speculative," that is to say, risky. Standard & Poor's and Fitch placed the rating of Portugal "BBB-" or one notch to the category of "speculative" that Greece currently holds.

The euro increases its losses against the dollar

Moody's did not trust the program "ambitious" in the words of the new government which includes to reduce the country's deficit from 9.1% to 5.9% this year and 3% by 2013. This is why the country must make a saving "a little over two billion euros," said Pedro Passos Coelho had. In addition to the "restructuring of public enterprises," the privatization program will be accelerated with the sale by September of public participation in groups electricians EDP and REN on line pay day loans. "The Moody's decision ignores the effects of the tax on extraordinary income, regrets the Ministry of Finance.This measure shows the government's determination to ensure the deficit targets for this year. "

While Greece is to receive 12 billion euros of fresh money and could get a new rescue plan 110 billion, Moody's says there is a good chance that Portugal needs a new aid in addition to 78 billion decided last May. But for that, like Greece, the rating agency points out that private sector participation would be required for the EU to come to the aid of Portugal. "Portugal might not be able to borrow on capital markets at a tolerable level before the second half of 2013 or even later," said Moody's.

While the U.S. markets did not react to this announcement, the euro accentuated its losses against the dollar, yielding 0.81% to 1.4423 dollar.

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