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500, 700 or 1 trillion? The euro area has an appointment this Friday in Copenhagen for the latest additions to its financial firewall and anti-crisis to its arsenal, while the political fatigue sets in Europe against austerity.

The divisions that have come to light between Paris, Berlin and Brussels on the future size of the bailout fund serious concern to markets, while in bad times, according to the OECD. Thursday, the Milan Stock Exchange fell 3.30%, that of Paris lost 1.43% and the euro retreated to $ 1.32.  

After months of negotiations, the seventeen ministers of finance of the common currency must agree on how the European Stability Mechanism (MES), the permanent emergency fund that will begin to relay the temporary established in 2010 .

The lending capacity of the firewall, initially set at 500 billion, will undoubtedly raised to 700 billion or more through a tardy concession of Germany, the main funder. For their part, the European Commission, IMF, OECD and France, through the voice of Baroin, grow to a figure of around 1 trillion.

Haggling

But setting this ceiling, watched by the markets, is largely theoretical. The ultimate capacity of loans depends on the leverage chosen, from a capital contribution set at 80 billion, for all seventeen countries. It also depends on the timing of national inputs, the speed of repayment of loans and additional committed instant payday loan lenders. In practice, the total actually available would increase from 250 today to 500 billion in the summer of 2014, according to internal documents.

The other unknown in Copenhagen is the estate of Jean-Claude Juncker, for seven years as head of the Eurogroup. The German finance minister, Wolfgang Schäuble, appears as a favorite difficult to unseat. But several factors could delay his consecration. Other seats are vacant at the European Central Bank (ECB), the EBRD (European Bank of Development) and the MES, and the capitals hear bargain their support. In France and Greece, the decisive elections also prohibit release too fast or too openly extra power in Berlin.

Among all these bargains is a reluctance on course to be risks that creep. Except Germans, Europeans impatient with an austerity too severe. Spain is a general strike and Portugal still struggling to finance its debt, despite EU support. Ireland hopes to win the support of the ECB to deal with an immediate deadline. The Netherlands, once model of rigor, in turn sink into an endless government crisis against a backdrop of budget cuts emergency.

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Salespeople earn more than a year ago. In 2011, wages increased overall by 4%, fixed and variable combined, compared to 2010. This is the conclusion of a study by recruitment firm Uptoo, made from the information provided by the 73,000 registered commercial MyBeautifulJob on its portal. Their average annual gross reach and 54.1 K €.

But these results must be qualified. First, there was a catch-up effect since 2010, in the wake of the financial crisis, wages had decreased slightly (- 0.8%), according to data firm. Then, the increase of 2011 benefits only the most experienced vendors at the expense of young graduates. If the first saw their wages rise by 8%, beginners accuse them down 9% (35.1 K €).

In an uncertain economic climate, employers prefer to play safe value. Surmotivé between a young and more experienced candidate, the choice will often second that, a priori, be faster to use, say recruiters. "Many employers tell us they do not have the resources to train beginners, says Didier Perraudin, associate director of Uptoo. There is a dearth of local managers. "

Negotiate fixed primarily

As a result, experienced the most stressed, those that combine capabilities manager at a knowledge of the sector, find themselves in a strong position to negotiate their salary. Chastened by variables that have fused with the crisis, these highly sought after candidates trying to secure their full paycheck.

According to the study, the increase in 2011 is largely explained by inflation fixed which average 75% of compensation, against 70% a year earlier. "Only 7% of vendors double their salary with bonuses, says Didier Perraudin. Dangling share of important variables, problems begin to move a business. "

Finally, it's not a surprise, the most high-tech reports: a package with average of 63.2 K €, sales in this sector earn 20% more than their counterparts in industry and 16% more as business services. They also record the highest increases in salary last year (+7.5%), but without catch up before the crisis.

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This is one of the heaviest penalties ever imposed in France for price fixing. The Competition Authority condemned Tuesday the largest producers of bagged flour French and German in total fines totaling 242.4 million euros.

As Le Figaro had revealed (read our editions of March 29, 2011), the institution has identified two antitrust cases, one involving French millers having agreed on prices, and the other a Franco-German cartel to limit to 15,000 tons, from 2002 to 2008, German exports in the Hexagon.

Flour France, sentenced to 8.3 million euro fine, and Axiane Milling, who scoop the most severe penalty (44 million), have decided to appeal. "We have taken note of the decision, which amazed us, said a spokesman Axiane. The penalty amount is disproportionate to the activities of the company, who made last year 167 million euros in turnover which only 15% correspond to the sale of flour in bag. "… ….. A first

This is the first case of this magnitude in the food industry. The Competition Authority has estimated that 11% of the costs to consumers. Moreover, it is the second time a consumer product is concerned by this affair. Last year, a cartel of manufacturers of detergents was sentenced to 361.3 million euros in fines. In both cases, this is a leniency application made by one of the protagonists who revealed the agreement.

"The Franco-German entente has been sheltered from competition German millers French, which enabled them to segment the market and respond with one voice to calls for major retailers such as discount stores," summarizes a spokesman for the Authority's view that the distributors were not aware of these practices.

The severity of penalties is due to the unprecedented duration of the agreement. In fact, since its inception in 1965, France Flour, owner of the famous brand Francine, leader in France, was at the heart of a system of understanding that allowed him to sell the output of its seven shareholders millers. "This is a transparent system of grouping that existed openly and everybody," protests Axiane Milling, one of its shareholders.

Considered a "false nose" Flour France was dissolved in mid-January and Francine brand was sold to one of its shareholders, Nutrixo. The Competition Authority should soon make its decision in another case involving the millers. This time it concerns the sale of bulk flour to bakers.

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Twitter users who have an American Express card will be able to save money on their purchases. The financial services provider has developed a range of coupons to be distributed by the microblogging platform in the United States.

To qualify, users must involve affected their American Express card to their Twitter account, a dedicated website. They can then post a message on Twitter ("tweets") with a keyword identification ("hashtag") to receive a gift certificate for their card, which will be used in several merchant partners. For example, writing "I will redo my wardrobe # AmexHM" on Twitter, the user gets a $ 10 discount on their next purchase over $ 50 at H & M. The brand's ready-to-wear, and Dell, Virgin America, Zappos, FedEx and McDonald's are among the partners in this new advertising offer.

An offer for mobile

"American Express converts the content of Twitter in business offer, by linking the card holders with traders, offering added value to both parties", welcomed Ed Gilligan, vice president of American Express in a statement. Above all, American Express is attempting to upgrade the "tweets" for advertising purposes, which are more and more on Twitter. The microblogging platform was cautiously introduced advertising on its service in April 2010, with "Promoted tweets", inspired by the sponsored links on search engines. Many brands – especially American – have therefore tried to use the service that boasts over 100 million monthly active users.

Last week, the start-up went into high gear, announcing the launch of a commercial for its mobile applications. "It's been almost two years since we launched the sponsored tweets, the first of our advertising products. Meanwhile, Internet users around the world have increasingly accessed Twitter from a mobile terminal, "the company said in a note to blog. Broadcast on the mobile site, tweets and accounts Sponsored advertising will now also distributed in mobile applications for Android and iPhone Twitter. "This will allow people to see the tweets of major brands that matter to them," says Twitter.

An announcement that coincided with the launch of Facebook, a mobile advertising offering for the service and coupons

.

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The French prefer cats to dogs. This is what emerges from the latest survey by TNS-Sofres on behalf of Facco (Employers' Federation of manufacturers of prepared foods for dogs, cats, birds and other pets).

The number of cats is increasing (923,000 in 4 + years) to reach today 10.96 million topics at the expense of the dogs. The strengths of these are still in decline (- 488,000 in 4 years) and amounted to 7.59 million.

However, this view does not reflect a lack of love for the canine species from the French. It is rather an awareness of the responsibility that owning a dog that would be the main reason.  

Masters of free and responsible

Masters of increasingly responsible if one judges also by the rate of sterilization and that the investigation highlights that increases steadily year on year to 32.5% of the total population of dogs (or + 3 points compared to 2008) and 74.2% in cats (+ 2 points).

18.3% of non-dog owners believe that it can cause "problem when they go on a weekend or holiday." This may explain why the small breeds, the "boilerplate" are increasingly the coast.

The investigation revealed that Facco "dogs live mostly in homes of average size [in] rural areas, in houses with gardens. There are more often than in the past someone at home during the day. Cats, they are found mostly in medium-sized families living in rural areas in houses with gardens. "

The other reason cited for not acquiring a dog is "the commitment it represents over several years" for 11 no fax payday loan.8% of respondents.

Older, supposed to have more time, not "crack" not easier for a dog. The survey observed an underrepresentation of the age group over 55 years. "This age group made up largely of retired, healthy, and with a comfortable purchasing power, is a traveling public, which focuses on outdoor recreation and is therefore looking for a flexibility, "note the analysts Facco.

Cost and maintenance: a pattern little mention

And although some purebred dogs reach very high price to buy (up to 4000 euros), as also the care and maintenance budget is also taken into account, provided, "the cost of acquisition and maintenance of the animal is not a discriminating factor as a result of non-possession is cited as most important by only 2.9% of non-owners, "notes the survey yet. 

The maintenance cost to maintain healthy animals do not appear as a brake, it is also parallel to remind the French are only about 4% to ensure their pets by taking out a contract for Animal Health allowing reimbursement of veterinary fees for accidents or illness.

A rate that is struggling to "take off", France accused in this area lags behind compared to the UK where the rate of health insurance for 30% of animal owners, and … 80% in Sweden.

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What assurance kilometer?

For this formula the insurance premium paid by the insured depends on the actual mileage each year. Unlike traditional insurance providing "small" and "large" rollers in the same way, the insurance km fits the real needs of the driver's insurance.

This is the only difference from a conventional insurance. Otherwise, the proposed safeguards are strictly the same with or without this formula. Liability, all risks formulas, bonus / malus … nothing changes.

Insurance kilometer may interest all those who drive around with their vehicles. It may, for example using mostly urban public transport, the elderly, young drivers …. But also own several vehicles, some of which are little used, such as campers or collector vehicles.  

In practice, it is interesting for vehicles that travel less than 8000 km per year. At comparable guarantees, insurance kilometer can then save up to 30% on contributions (15% on average).

Auto insurance in package

For this type of auto insurance, the insured and the insurer agree on an annual mileage not to exceed. To verify its use, the meter of the vehicle is controlled at the time of contract execution, and annually thereafter. He is also in case of emergencies and some companies even provide for random checks cash till payday.

For exceeding the package, the insured pays a penalty. It can be fixed or depend on the number of additional kilometers performed.  

Conversely, if the package is not reached, some insurance contracts provide for reimbursement of the overpayment or deferral of kilometers of unused quota the following year.

Auto insurance "pay as you drive" (pay as you roll)

It is the insurance per kilometer in the fullest sense. The insured is actually charged according to the exact number of miles it performs in the year the vehicle is in this case equipped with a GPS unit, whose pose can be paid or free.

Some insurers not only modulate the rates based on mileage, but also driving conditions. Thus, when driving at night, on weekends or in urban areas for example, rates are adjusted accordingly.

Note: Some insurance companies offer both the "pay as you drive" and the package. At the insured to choose the most suitable according to its "consumption" (regular or subject to strong variations from one year to another and even from month to month).

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The tension is still up a notch on the site ArcelorMittal Florange in Moselle. About 300 steelworkers blocked since Thursday morning the release of shipments of the site for the restart of two blast furnaces, at a standstill for several months. At a central works council (CEC), management has confirmed the arrest of these furnaces in the second quarter. She said it was a "temporary suspension" and that the situation for the third quarter would be considered "in the month of May." The group, which invokes a slowdown in demand, provides a target restart facilities "as soon as market conditions permit".

Far from being reassured, the unions are convinced that management has signed the "death warrant" of Lorraine site, with imports of Russian steel to fuel its business outside furnaces.

"The management was committed to restarting our blast furnaces if Dunkirk was unable to feed, here, in steel," the mill hot strip mill, which produces steel for automotive technology, said Edward Martin , responsible CFDT. "And now she announces in CEC purchase of 60,000 tons of metal" to a "competitor" Russian laments there. Broccoli for Walter, FO, this purchase "constitutes an admission that Florange not restart."

According to management, 500 employees of ArcelorMittal are affected by the shutdown of blast furnaces, the other 2300 employees working on site production tools downstream. "We try to find a solution for each employee" affected, said Hervé Bourrier, CEO for France.

LE FIGARO. – Despite the progress of the Brussels summit in Cannes and G20, the euro area is still in turmoil. What is the right long-term EU strategy to ward off these attacks on the euro?

Edouard Balladur. – Efforts by the Franco-German cooperation is commendable, but it must go further. The Europe of 27 is too broad and diverse, it is little more than a big market for the euro area, it has a single currency, but it is struggling to make quick decisions and does not have a policy exchange decided by a governmental authority. For twenty years, I defend an organization of Europe by combining circles States according to the skills shared. It is urgent to implement and begin to better organize the euro area.If the ECB was implementing this massive deterrence, speculation would fall and we would cease to move from crisis to crisis paydayloan.

The Germans did not they always raised an objection of inadmissibility outright the idea?

Do they have a reasonable expectation of it together without the 2 trillion dollars that would discourage speculation? Why is opposed to the expanded role of the ECB? The fear of inflation? The risk is much less in a world of globalization based on a competition that lowers prices.

Some defend the "other policy" and openly talk about protectionism. This crisis gives them she right?

On the contrary, it gives them wrong. History has decided: to maintain our role in the world, defend the ability of our business, secure our energy, we need to reduce deficits.

Officials will be more affected by rigor. The government decided on Tuesday: one day waiting period will be established for employees in case of sickness. Earlier in the day, the Prime Minister, François Fillon, was tried before the House the case "reasonable." This period corresponds to the time at the beginning of the stop, during which the insured does not receive allocation.

In private, the waiting period is currently three days. But under the austerity plan, the government plans to bring it to four days, stated Valérie Pécresse and Xavier Bertrand on Tuesday. A measure subsided, according to the entourage of the Minister, by which pension arrangements are provided 70% of employees, which may reduce or eliminate this delay.

Stops short penalized more

This extra day would represent a saving of around 200 million euros.

Intel against the current vogue. According to the worldwide microprocessor, the death of the PC (Personal Computer) in favor of smartphones and tablets is not announced.

Turnover of Intel blazed by 28% in the third quarter to $ 14.2 billion, for a net profit of 3.5 billion, up 17%. The strong increase is explained by the dynamism of chips for PCs, whose sales rose 22% to 9.4 billion. "Companies around the world support the purchase of PC. In addition, there is an upmarket laptops, "explains Stéphane Negro, CEO of Intel in France. Thus, the average selling price of a microprocessor increases, resulting in the margins of the group.

Activity remains the most profitable chips for servers, the mainframe computers used in particular to oversee a network of PCs.The demand for this class of machine is very high due to the construction of new data centers, conversion of companies in cloud computing (cloud computing) and scientific computing. Then, the next chip for servers is "twenty times more demand than that of the previous generation, at the same time," says Stéphane Negro easy pay day loans.

"Ultrabooks" second generation

In addition, one third of the growth of Intel, in the third quarter is attributable to acquisitions. The security software company McAfee and the modem division of German Infineon boosted sales of 1.1 billion. To support its growth, Intel will invest at least $ 10.2 billion to modernize its plants in 2011. This is a record for the group and probably for the entire sector information technology.Intel retool its plants to increase the density of transistors on each chip, reducing the burning characteristics and deploying a new production technology. Its development should be used in one year for the second generation of "ultrabooks" laptops, powerful and lightweight.

Paul Otellini, Intel's CEO, confirmed that in 2012, the group will finally chips used in smartphones and tablets. The stock has gained 4% yesterday.

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