13th November

At six months of the presidential election, the site of the EPR at Flamanville (Manche) has become the symbol of the debate on the future of nuclear power in France. The sector lights atomic defends tooth and nail so the continued construction of the first Generation III reactor (with a capacity of 1650 megawatts) on French soil. And she just won a first round: Monday, François Hollande, spoke to the chagrin of his potential allies, the Greens for the continuation of the project.

Stop Flamanville, it would stop dead "every effort of the industrial fabric, with over 170 suppliers in France and around the world work for this project," argued Thursday on site Machenaud Hervé, director of production and engineering of EDF.Its CEO, Henri Proglio, went further Thursday in Le Parisien, amounting to 400,000 direct and indirect jobs, and even 1 million taking into account the energy-intensive industries and promoted by the current low prices in France, the issue of a shutdown of nuclear power in France online cash advance. A "red flag" which has also incurred the wrath of the Greens.

Proudly displayed

For the sector, the challenge is to convince both safety and economic feasibility of the EPR. "We are building a completely safe reactor, which not only incorporates the feedback from the entire fleet (58 to 19 power reactors) but also has the amenities that were lacking in Fukushima," says Hervé Machenaud. It specifically targets the "ashtray"-installation capable of recovering the heart of the fusion reactor in case of puncture of the tank-and four buildings housing the safety relief devices.

Life insurance quotes are the major means of calculating whether the rate of return is going to be worth the initial outlay.

8th November

Thunder on Corsica. The Administrative Court of Appeal overturned Monday in Marseilles the public service delegation (PSD) of maritime transport between the island and the mainland, a delegation intended to ensure territorial continuity and with a coquettish grant.

Upon assignment to the SNCM and CMN service contract for the period 2007-2013, Corsica Ferries had attacked him. Peter Mattei, the director general of the company, so savor his victory: "It shows that we were in our right and that has suffered!"

The leader has always considered abnormal grant of 33 million euros allocated by the Transportation Agency Corsican (OTC) for the SNCM ferry for peak periods, in addition to the 66 million allocated for the basic service (cargo passengers and freight throughout the year) to SNCM and CMN.The Court found that there was violation of the European regulation on maritime cabotage.

The "safeguard clause" included in the delegation contract is also in the sights of the Court. This clause makes it possible for companies to benefit from a delegated additional grant anticipated revenue when the contract is not to go. This supplement is considered state aid and tens of millions of euros may have to be repaid.

"An overhaul of the system"

A new bid must be launched for a new contract operational on 1 September 2012. "It will be very difficult to meet this deadline," Paul said yesterday Mary Bartoli, president of the CTA.

3rd November

After staying away for two years, the restaurants, the French again gradually to leave their homes for lunch or dinner. Since January, attendance at schools, fast food at three-star, rose 0.6%, according to research firm NPD. And not about to tighten their belts. Average spending also rose 0.6% in the first nine months of the year.

Another sign of joy: the last quarter, growth in attendance is highest in restaurants with table service, where the addition is much salt in fast food, which represent 68% of visits and 44% total expenditure of the French.

However, the recovery is shy and sometimes chaotic. As a result, many professionals are choosy. "The first quarter seemed to promise a clear recovery this year.

The merger of the French tax authorities was expensive

27th October

Since one or two years, the French no longer have to wonder whether they should go to a cash or a tax office when they have a tax problem. They now have a single contact. This is the most visible result of one of the largest state reforms undertaken since 2007: the merger of Taxation and the Treasury in a branch of public finance (DGFIP).

This is especially symbolic that this government has succeeded where the team Jospin failed to combine the two tax authorities. In a survey of the merger, commissioned by the Senate Finance Committee, the Court of Auditors said that the reform was carried out on time and that its success is "an achievement in change management."

But the Court also notes that the merger would have been cheaper. "All were first restructuring cost.The question is whether the bill was not too high, "said Philippe Marini yesterday, the president of the UMP Senate Finance Committee during a hearing of the protagonists of the case to the commission.

Between 2008 and 2012, 12,000 jobs have been removed to DGFIP. Despite this, the payroll has been stabilized in 2011 and decline only in 2012 to reach 4.95 billion euros. "From 2008 to 2010, the workforce was reduced by 3%, while the wage bill increased by 1%" Nicole Bricq summarized yesterday, the rapporteur of the commission PS. When asked by Le Figaro, Philippe Parini, the Chief of DGFIP, believes that this performance is good.But yesterday at the hearing, the Court judges were more skeptical.

209 million of additional costs

In the report following its investigation, the Court regrets that the general rule in the civil service, which means that half of the savings from job cuts to be redistributed in additional payments to agents, has been exceeded in DGFIP in 2010 ( 62 guaranteed approval cash advance loans.5% of redistribution) and 2011 (54.8%).

In detail, the Court expressed surprise that the merger premium of 350 euros per year, originally created for the sole agents affected by restructuring, has been granted in 2008 to all members of the DGFIP. Then it has been perpetuated from 2009 and then increased to 500 euros this year. Total cost from 2007 to 2012: 59.5 million euros.However, in addition to this premium, the agents of the DGFIP benefited from the harmonization of remuneration from the top.

"No merger can not be done with a harmonization of salaries to the bottom" replied yesterday a senior official of Bercy, noting that the harmonization alone had accounted for half of the 209 million additional cost of the merger.

"We take the fact of having paid the premiums," added Philippe Parini. "In total, over the whole period of the merger, from 2008 to 2012, we distributed to agents 52.3% of the savings related to job cuts. It is little more than the norm. Overruns in 2010 and 2011 and punctual and will be made up later, "he said in Le Figaro.

Senators of the committee members are themselves worried about the consequences of yesterday's job losses to DGFIP.They fear a decline in the quality of service.

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Dexia leaders have committed crimes

21st October

The fall was accelerated by Dexia irregularities. A document written by the supervisory authority in 2010 reported several violations of the Franco-Belgian bank, reported Liberation.

The body responsible for regulating the banking sector would have directly challenged the previous management but also the leaders still in office. The report was quoted as saying, "number of findings concerning mechanisms for managing derivative positions are likely to contravene the regulations." Regulators cite "in 2007 and until 2008, the disclosure of Dexia Credit Local has remained evasive about the increasing risks, including the CEO and directors were aware. She ignored the violations of regulations and monitoring liquidity risk. "And the report says "the information to the public was not accurate, precise and sincere."

These omissions or falsehoods for the purchase of a portfolio of bonds and speculative securities amounting to 100 billion euros, an "illogical financing local government, the report quoted by Liberation payday advance lenders. Regulators also suggest a failure on the part of the Dexia value of this portfolio of assets, both at the time of purchase as to resale. Worse, the leadership in place deliberately magnified the value of assets. The "overvaluation is estimated at at least 2 billion euros." Auditors such as Deloitte and Mazars have closed their eyes, the report said.

Loans to shareholders to purchase securities

The management team in place is also not spared.In a letter dated September 4, 2009, the report stresses that "the director of the institution has provided an underestimation of the volume of transactions."

Meanwhile, the Financial Timesaffirme that Dexia has paid 1.5 billion euros in its first two institutional shareholders before 2008 so that they carry out acquisitions of securities of the Franco-Belgian bank. But Dexia would, at the time, not breaking the law then in effect. The question is whether the court will examine the case Dexia.

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Aid to poor countries remains a priority

15th October

Fight against poverty, access to clean water, education, health … Target the poorest countries of sub-Saharan Africa while engaging more in North Africa. These are the priorities declined by the French development, according to the 2011 AFD Ifop barometer, conducted in July, against a background of "Arab spring". They are 63% to support the continuation of official development assistance (ODA), despite the crisis and the context of budget restrictions. 77% of them even consider that France should have its own policy in Europe.

Tax on financial transactions

Given that France is the third largest contributor to global. "ODA accounts for 10 billion euros, or nearly 10% of global ODA, while France weighs 5% of global GDP.And the 2012 budget will not be affected by lower public spending, "said Minister of Cooperation Henri de Raincourt. Welcoming the outcome of the investigation that "incites to put development at the heart of the international agenda," the minister said that the G20 Development to be held next Friday in Paris will be a first in this proceeding with three priorities: food security, infrastructure and innovative financing.

Paris has the support of Brazil and several European partners to push the proposed tax on financial transactions, despite the opposition displayed the Anglo-Saxon countries, the United States in mind. "It will take these countries explain to their publics at the same time they lower their ODA they refuse to find new financing.This is an ethical issue, "criticizes the French minister.

If aid is important to the French, they are only 55% find it effective. They are even more severe in the result on the reduction of poverty, the fight against global warming and support for economic growth. Overall 60% believe the French budget enough, young people, however, require a greater commitment.

Respondents also believe that aid should rely more on local actors: communities, civil society organizations, entrepreneurs and NGOs …. The transfer of skills and know-how is considered very important to avoid over-reliance of the States for assistance. Finally, like other years, they want more information on funded projects, their progress and results.

GDF Suez attack the state of gas prices

14th October

Three weeks after the government's announcement to freeze gas prices for individuals on or after October 1, GDF Suez took, as the company announced at the time, the competent courts in protest against the decision. The group on Thursday filed an action for the Council of State to request the cancellation of an order made by the government.

The investigation of this type of case takes on average between 12 and 18 months. But the length of the procedure does not scare GDF Suez, which the argument is simple: the law requires that the procurement costs of the company are covered by fees, and grant a small margin. Upon arrival, if the formula price was applied on October 1, gas prices for individuals would have had to climb 10%.GDF Suez's estimated shortfall by the end of the year to some 290 million euros cash advance no fax.

For its part, the Commission for Energy Regulation (CRE), the industry policeman, issued an opinion unfavorable to the Government Order. Meanwhile, the regulator gave the Minister of Industry, a report on the Exploring the evolution rate of increase gas prices. One of the measures mentioned by the CRE is to increase – in the development of the formula – the share of the market price of gas now cheaper for the consumer and supply contracts in the long run.

This design technique should allow to reconcile the evolution of gas prices with the political imperative to avoid any increase, especially brutal.

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The Paris Bourse rebounded strongly

5th October

The Paris Bourse has regained some color. At least temporarily. The CAC 40 gained 4.33% to 2973.90 points in a little volume of trade expanded by about 3.3 billion euros. The day before, he had lost 2.61% and nearly 6% in the space of three days.

Moderated somewhat in early trading, the Paris market has accelerated the pace in the afternoon, reassured by the good performance of Wall Street. In session, the Dow Jones advanced 0.30% and the Nasdaq by 0.63%. The day before the New York Stock Exchange had hoisted the green flag in the home straight with any information that has filtered after the meeting of economic ministers of the European Union about a possible recapitalization of banks in Europe.The hypothesis was reinforced Wednesday when German Chancellor Angela Merkel ruled "justified" to recapitalize European banks in need, noting that his country was ready to do "if necessary".

Other European markets rose in unison. London was up 3.19%, Frankfurt was awarded 4.91%, Milan 3.94% and 4.03% Euro Stoxx 50.

Markets were also encouraged by the good employment figures in the United States. The firm ADP, which always reveals its figures a step ahead of the official statistics, said the U.S. private sector had created 91,000 jobs in September, about twice as anticipated by analysts.

But for most experts, this is a rebound "essentially technical" free business cards. In fact the concerns about the future of Greece are still present.Similarly, fears of slowing global growth or even recession are ever more brightly. The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has painted a particularly grim situation. "A global recession in 2012 can not be excluded" admitted Antonio Borges, Director IMF Europe.

Dexia regaining ground

The announcement of the degradation of three notches on the note of Italy by the rating agency Moody's has however not really affected the morale of the operators. The news was widely anticipated by the market. September 20, its rival Standard & Poor's had also downgraded Italian.

Investors have indeed benefited from the falling value of certain financial and industrial stocks in recent days to engage in purchases with it. In Paris, Societe Generale has returned 8.65%, 9.89% Credit Agricole and BNP Paribas 8.5%.Even the Franco-Belgian Dexia threatened to dismantle and had fallen by over 22% the day before a section of the movement. The stock has recovered 1.49%. This is despite a particularly harsh note from Goldman Sachs with respect to the French banking sector.

The cyclical industry and the technology were also in great shape with Cap Gemini (14.18%, largest increase in CAC 40) Saint Gobain (+9.3%), Lafarge (8.72%) and Peugeot (8.60%).

The lunch break continue to drink

28th September

The long pause between colleagues at lunch time lived. The increased pace of work was right in this traditional division, whose length has been reduced to a trickle in the last twenty years. While employees willingly stopped for over an hour and a half to sustain themselves in the 1990s, they now spend no more than 22 minutes on average to the ritual, according to a study released Tuesday by Malakoff Médéric.

"The lunch break has become the adjustment variable of the workday, says Anne-Sophie Godon, director of prevention within the group of social protection Malakoff Médéric. The content of the day was densified, while the distance between work and home tends to increase. In this context, employees have no choice but to cut back on the lunch break. "Women are more concerned than men, many of them prefer to take the shortest time at noon in hopes of starting earlier work, says Odile Fox, medical officer in Paris.

Employees bring their lunch more

With less time spent at lunch, it is the nature of the meal that has changed. A perceptible change in the last few years yet, the study said. Since 2009, the number of employees who go home for lunch has been declining (29% of respondents in 2011 against 34% in 2009), as well as those who go to a restaurant business (19% instead of 22%). In contrast, the share of those who swallow a sandwich as a meal is still growing by 2 points in 2011 compared to 2009.

Shortening the length of the lunch break is not always synonymous with "junk food" one of the most striking findings is that the share of employees who bring their pittance to work, after having prepared at home is strong growth. Almost a third say they do frequently, women are over-represented again. "The French are trying to eat more balanced, it is a serious sociological trend installment payday loans. Provide meals is a way to control your diet. It's also a way to save money, "says Anne-Sophie Godon. The crisis is over there.

Decreased concentration

Sandwich and dish prepared in advance, reducing the dwell time has nevertheless perverse effects. "When you eat quickly, no time to feel full. Satiety occurs only after a quarter of an hour.And when we eat at his computer, it's worse: it does not even pay attention to what you swallow. Result, we tend to snack in the afternoon, "said Patrick Serog, doctor. In 2011, 39% of employees admit to regularly snacking, two points more than in 2009. "Making a real pause, three-quarters of an hour, is crucial, says Odile as Fox. Without this cut, the stress builds up. "

The health of the employee is not only involved for the company either, the lunch break is not wasted time. An employee who does not stop and does not cut even if it's only twenty minutes with their working environment is an employee who may lose concentration. "Attention has its phases. It can be really careful for forty five minutes or an hour, but rarely more.If we restore his normal work environment at his office, for example, the concentration decreases even faster, and we made mistakes, "warns Patrick Serog. This did not include an office where you eat according to host Monster 400 times more bacteria than the toilet normally maintained.

"Testimonials – And you, do you take time for breakfast? Prepare your meals in advance or do you buy close to your work? Share your experience in comments below or by email at temoin@lefigaro.fr.

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The trend is sustainable to travel

4th September

Solidarity and ecological travel. The idea is gaining ground in the minds of many tourists. This practice has a name very trend: the "sustainable tourism". According to the definition given by the World Tourism Organization (WTO), it is a holiday that "meets the needs of present tourists and host regions while protecting and enhancing opportunities for the future. "

Whether it's a humanitarian mission in Africa, a trek in the Sahara or the ascent of Kilimanjaro, this type of travel always organized around four themes, according to Yann Legendre, coordinator at Libertalia specialist stays abroad lasting. The first two are the exchange and outreach to the local economy. "Sustainable Travel, accommodation is homestay or in hotels, buy food at the local producer, operate a local bus," said he. Next is the protection of the environment.Specific example: instead of buying bottled water which may pollute the tour operator is investing in a filter pump. "We saved the purchase of 9,500 bottles last year," notes Libertalia. There remains one of the most important aspects: the local development projects. This is not a logic of love ", explained Yann Legendre. "We have identified local actors engaged in a dynamic project that we donate 30 to 60 euros per passenger," he adds.

For those who opt for sustainable tourism in the Hexagon, the basics are the same. In the villages of the network Cap France, vacationers are being such offer "kits picnic" without any packaging pollutant. They sort the waste, swim in heated pools with solar panels and eat fresh produce from local agriculture."This is a tourist friendly environment with a local proximity and social," says Jean-Michel Coeff, president of the network.

Contrary to popular belief, sustainable travel is not more expensive. "Investments are included gradually over time," says Jean-Michel Coeff. For trips abroad, the price stays is generally equivalent to those of traditional tour operators and even cheaper because the organizers did not pay any commission to providers or agencies over.

Boom offers

Since the early 2000s, the offers are multiplying on the web. Tour operators are mostly from small associative structures are already active in the sector sustainable. But the traditional tour operators are also well represented on the niche, the image of Voyageurs du Monde free credit report and score.The travel specialist tailor even claims to have adopted this approach for many years. "It's not just a fad, it is a binding approach we impose," said Frederic Lavaud, project sustainability. According to the latter, responsible tourism has become a corporate philosophy: "We have adopted a responsible for all travels. We check for instance that our partners pay their employees well. We have a corporate foundation which helps local people. In Asia, some of our destinations travelers take away the excluded villages now live a little better through these visits, "he adds. According Voyageurs du Monde, the client would become very attentive to these questions: "People are sensitive to the choice of partners and very critical if we are not in line with what we propose.This is progress. "

Libertalia confirms the trend: "Our customer base is doubling every year since 2007. There is a real awareness, a desire to return to the essence of the journey is the encounter and discovery. "

Credibility problem

Despite this enthusiasm, the trip is still a sustainable niche. According to the WTO, the 935 million tourists who took the road last year, it represents only a small portion still unencrypted. For if consciousness is actually at work, the acting out takes longer than expected. "There is still a gap between this important awareness and its translation in terms of holidays. For tourists, holiday means to live freely. People do not want to be imposed on things, "admits Jean-Michel Coeff."And for some it is a concept bobo, an ecological cult," he adds.

This credibility problem, mentioned by several tour operators, requires the industry to organize. In 2004, a group of tour operators create the Association of Tour Operators Themes (ATT). The last issue to each operator audited by the certification body AFNOR label "Acting for Responsible Tourism (ATR)." But this system is far from unanimous. "The criteria are too light and too expensive certification" portion Libertalia who prefers to make his own evaluation grid. For its part, France Cape Town in 2004 launched his own label Owl Nature. In short, it is still difficult at the moment to see clearly.

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