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Sometimes there are coincidences that plunge. A few days after Francois Hollande has triggered an outcry in the microcosm football with his proposal to tax 75% on incomes above one million euros per year, the union of professional players (UNFP) has announced a new record membership. Not at 20, 30 or even 50%. Not to … 96.45%, which means that few players playing in Ligue 1 and Ligue 2 not to be enclosed in a union.

This score membership record is even more comical that exceeds the standards of the Nordic countries where, at best, three-quarters of employees are unionized (against 8% in France, it must be remembered) payday loans in 1 hour. But also because such a rate – worthy of glory of the USSR – in a profession considered golden demonstrates that unionism and categorical niche, including employees on the most spoiled society, has a future in France.

"At a time when the image of football is too often tarnished – wrongly, need I elaborate? – This unionization rate (…) shows that the professional football player looks at his job, his future, as much as the other, it is his teammate or opponent on the ground ", for his part prefers to deduce the UNFP. When will a syndicate of traders?

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"A tax that could cost

As soon as the telecom regulator (ARCEP) she reiterated that Free Mobile fulfilling its obligations in terms of coverage, the network of the new telephone is again controversial. He knows since Friday morning strong disturbances that affect customer communications. The magnitude of the incident remains unknown, Iliad, the parent of Free, refused to give details. But for France Telecom, under contract to Free Mobile, it would be a "major incident".

Disturbances may be caused by the failure of one of the two "signaling equipment" Free Mobile needed to find the phones.

Orange wants to keep his distance. The incumbent is linked to Free Mobile "a roaming agreement" which allows customers to use the Free Orange network in areas where Free has not yet developed its own coverage. "Free us informed in the late morning of an incident on its network equipment. This incident is in no way related to the contract of homelessness in Orange network, "said a spokesman for France Telecom.

No "quality testing service"

The incident revived the controversy over the quality of service of the fourth mobile operator. Tuesday, Arcep confirmed before an Assembly committee that Free Mobile covered at least 27% of the French population, a regulatory requirement for anyone holding a mobile telephone license. The regulatory authority, however, that it had made "coverage tests" and not "test quality of service."

For other telephone companies, possess Free Mobile Network "cheap" or "empty". They accuse him and his relay off voluntarily and not to develop its infrastructure to rest on those of Orange, better and more extensive. It is estimated that over 90% of calls made by customers Free pass through its network.

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Apple plays spoilsport. Tuesday night, while most manufacturers of tablets showed their latest Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, ​​the media were invited to attend the following week, the launch of the next iPad from San Francisco.

For four days, the electronics giants have yet done everything to make us forget the iPad and mark their difference. Two of them, Samsung and LG, have chosen to deliver their new tablets with a stylus, following HTC, which was launched in the last year in this niche. This accessory, which allows you to write or draw and more accurately on the screen, is rejected by Apple, who believes only the touch screen.

Much of the Samsung booth and was dedicated to the Galaxy Score, available in two versions. The smallest, launched in October, is midway between the tablet and smartphone (screen 5.3 inches diagonally) and can act as telephone. The new model, twice as large (10.1 inches), is a format closer to the iPad. Samsung will install software specifically developed for the stylus and a suite of creative software designed by Adobe.

LG, whose stand was a short walk from the Samsung, also gave a large place with a touch pad accompanied by a stylus. Also able to act as a (big) phone, the LG Vu takes a screen in 4/3 assumed to be more enjoyable to read books or magazines. Initially sold in South Korea, it will come with tools for professionals, facilitating note taking and annotation of web pages.

No innovation in displays

Apple's other competitors, who have not succumbed to the fashion of the stylus, for their part have chosen to focus on the graphics power against the iPad fast cash advance. Chinese Huawei and ZTE, prominent during the Barcelona show, presented every two shelves featuring quad-core chips, twice the current iPad. Asus has preferred him with originality Padphone, a laptop that can turn into a tablet or smartphone.

During the show, no manufacturer has, however, ventured into the field of screen resolution, where the iPad 3 is highly anticipated. The new Apple tablet should indeed be able to display twice as many pixels on the same surface, and achieve the same quality as the high-end smartphones. This type of screen, says "Retina display", is more complicated to produce, and therefore more expensive. It could cause supply problems iPad 3, as the site DigiTimes.

Apple's competitors have proposed no major advances in the software. They are in fact dependent on advances of Android, they do not control development. However, the system suffers from a lack of applications and is not yet as attractive as in smartphones, has recognized the head of mobile at Google, Andy Rubin. In two years he has sold 12 million Android tablets, against 50 million iPad. To reverse the trend, Google wants to encourage developers to write software compatible with all types of screens.

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The end of the franc is big to the Treasury. The latest * franc notes were redeemable at branches of the Bank of France until February 17 at midnight. Ten days after the end of the countdown, the institution is taking stock. A total of 1.5 million tickets have been reported for a total value of 378 million francs (57.6 million), from 1 September 2011 and the deadline of February 17. According to the Bank of France, there is 55 million franc banknotes in circulation, hidden under the mattress, forgotten in old bags or kept by collectors nostalgic. A nest egg estimated at 526 million euros.

And this balance, called "base emission" will be donated to the State. Indeed, the notes and coins in circulation are considered a debt, on the liability side of the central bank. "To annulerla debt, the value of the tickets not presented for exchange is repaid to the State," said the Bank of France in a newsletter. All these francs lost, forgotten or become so jealously preserved revenue to the exchequer.

The countryside of the Banque de France will not have been very successful, despite his repeated reminders to the holders of francs in recent months and the creation of a dedicated website (www.jechangemesfrancs.com). The franc banknotes still in circulation became indeed a treasure of 602 million euros in late 2010. Yet the French had thrown at the offices of the institution's approach to the deadline. "Just under 200,000 cuts were exchanged in December 2011, but nearly 367,000 in January 2012 and 733,000 cuts on the first 17 days of February," says the Bank of France. A record was set on February 17, with 91,000 tickets reported.  

The large denomination reported mass

For latecomers or those who have not managed to get hold of these small economies too well hidden, they have "no choice but to keep their tickets as a souvenir or sell to coin collectors," warns we at the Bank of France. But beware, all tickets will not take the value. "Better to have kept the cuts of 20 francs or 50 francs Debussy Saint-Exupery," said Michel Prieur, specialist of currencies within the Compagnie Générale de Bourse (CGB.fr). Now demonetized, only small values ​​will make a "margin buxom." A lesson that apprentices numismatists have understood. "Two thirds of the reported cuts are notes of 200 francs and 500 francs," says the Bank of France, which states that "the average volume of trade amounted to 15 tickets per transaction, for an average value of 3627 francs (553 euros). "

* The range of notes that can be exchanged against euro: CHF 20 bills bearing the image of Debussy, equivalent to 3.05 euros, the "Saint-Exupery" 50 francs (7.62 euros) , the "Cezanne" of 100 francs (15.24 euros), "Gustave Eiffel" of 200 francs (30.49 euros) and the "Pierre et Marie Curie" of 500 francs (76.22 euros).

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LE FIGARO. – Your mission in the Ministry of Agriculture will soon end, what measures are you most satisfied?

Bruno Le Maire. – I am proud to have initiated the Battle of regulation in Europe and having secured the CAP budget. I do not regret the hundreds of hours of negotiations that allowed us to achieve: for without the CAP, farmers know that French agriculture is not as strong today. There are also contracts between producers and manufacturers that provide visibility and stability to farm incomes, modernizing sectors of slaughter cattle and finally the reform of the wine that allowed him to resume in 2011 its first place worldwide.

With what results?

We handed agriculture at the heart of the national pact. We have him set the objective: competitiveness, with the aim of sustainable agriculture. No one will return our choice because they produce results. The price of beef back, and demanding meat markets French saving account pay day loan. This is the first time in 14 years! The average income of farmers increased from € 14,500 in 2009 to € 30,200 in 2011. The surplus of the agricultural trade balance has doubled in two years. There are still too many gaps, and I remain vigilant on prices. But it gets better. And more personally, farmers have learned a lot myself. They can always count on me.

What are the issues that remain unresolved?

We must first deal with the chain of fruit and vegetables which is more fragile today. Will largely continue to reduce labor costs, as decided by the president. When I hear Francois Hollande said that there is no problem of labor costs, I see he does not know the reality of the agricultural world.

Finally, it will come to correct misunderstandings and clashes between environmentalists and agricultural world.

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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.

The possible appointment of Jean-Louis Borloo at the head of Veolia react keenly the opposition. Monday, politicians railed against a possible intervention of Nicolas Sarkozy in this case, as reported by Libération and Les Echos.

The Socialist Party, through the voice of Pierre Moscovici, denounced "little arrangements in Fouquet's friends no faxing payday loans." Canal +, the campaign manager Francois Hollande evoked "the game of musical chairs comfortable to oust a man of political centrists and avoid certain temptations."

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"We will put patterns Florange unemployed by taking control of the plant." Edward Martin, representative of the CFDT EWC ArcelorMittal, wants offensive. The occupation of the site, scheduled for tomorrow, is a direct consequence of the extension until 30 June of the closure of two blast furnaces Florange, the last of Lorraine. "The direction we to understand that, barring a miracle, this closure would last all year," says Edward Martin.

For several months, the largest producer of steel has many announcements to reduce its production capacity. Spain, Belgium and France but also Romania and Czech Republic were affected. Today, only the blast furnaces in Liege never reopen. Other closures are for the moment, temporary.

A temporary measure reaffirmed to the minister, Eric Besson

Bourrier Hervé, President of ArcelorMittal France, reaffirmed that "temporary" to Eric Besson, Minister of Industry, last week. Employees such as trade unionists fear yet more than this closing becomes final. The clues that point in this direction are beginning to be numerous.

"A blast furnace is designed to run continuously, says an industry expert. It degrades when it is not the case. "The first blast furnace Florange is closed since June. The second since October. Investment and maintenance are reduced. Some were made late last year but "there is nothing for a month and a half" notes François Pagano, CFE-CGC delegate. "The industrial base is deteriorating, laments Edward Martin. With the cold, some lines broken. "Worse:" The founders began to be reclassified in the group. Leaders do not take it otherwise if they had close Florange. "

The recovery of orders has not changed all that

The recovery of orders failed to revive the plant. Aditya Mittal, CFO of ArcelorMittal, said on publication of results in 2011 that "shipments are much better than the fourth quarter of 2011, but we are still far volumes 2006, 2007 and 2008." What does surprisingly, these years being excellent.

Francois Pagano explains that "the business unit North, including Dunkirk, Florange, Benelux and Germany, recorded 3.7 million tons of orders for the second quarter of 2012 while its production capacity is 3.8 million . So the plants are running at 97% capacity. At this level, it would be possible to reopen Florange to avoid a potential bottleneck. "

Finally, the closure would be consistent with the group's strategy to focus on very large production units in coastline at Dunkirk and Fos sur mer in France and Bremen in Germany. The justifications for the closure of Liege seem perfectly applicable to Florange. "ArcelorMittal is considering a gain of 56 euros per tonne, which would be credited to the closure of Liege and transfer the production of slabs (Note: raw material for the manufacture of sheet metal) to Dunkirk," says the firm Laplace Council A study commissioned by the Walloon region. The forward gain is identical to Florange: "The leaders explain that ArcelorMittal bring slabs from Dunkirk saves 50 euros per tonne," confirms Francois Pagano.

With increased action "punch", although some have put Florange in the heart of the current election campaign. "Getting a formal commitment of a private company seems complicated," admits to the entourage of Eric Besson. A conclusion which adheres Francois Pagano whose only solution is to "convince Lakshmi Mittal's economic interest Florange".

"Ulcos" or last resort

All actors in the Lorraine steel cite Ulcos project, the acronym for "steel making process at very low CO2 emissions," as salvation for Florange. Launched in 2004, this is a program to find new techniques to produce steel with less carbon dioxide (CO2). Investments for carrying out are huge: 650 million euros! The French government has already pledged 150 million euros of funding. And Brussels could bring 250 million additional. ArcelorMittal leaders have vowed to launch Ulcos, and bring the balance of funding, if EU subsidies are granted.

Except that many obstacles have arisen in recent months. First techniques. The processes developed by Ulcos involve capturing and storing carbon. But experts are beginning to question this technique both for environmental reasons and efficiency.

Then the price of CO2 allowances collapsed in recent months, making plans to reduce CO2 emissions less urgent to implement. And nothing suggests that prices will go up quickly. In difficult economic times, as is currently the case, companies may be reluctant to invest in such technologies if there is no immediate financial implications.

Finally, there is little doubt that ArcelorMittal will decide to raise, or not, Florange on the basis of the only economic criteria. "The management of ArcelorMittal has told us clearly that Florange restarted if the market justifies it, and not only if Ulcos born," stated Michel Liebgott recently, area MP Florange.

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The opening of Sunday shopping has become a topic of this Friday's presidential campaign. Nicolas Sarkozy, the president now officially a candidate for reelection, took hold of the States General of Trade to revive a debate that has never really stopped since the adoption of the "law Maille". The Act of August 10, 2009 allows the Sunday opening of shops in some towns and tourist areas and hot springs and in some big cities. More generally, the Labour Code provides for the possibility for all stores to open five Sundays a year authorized by the mayor or the prefect.  

"If the French put their trust in me at the next presidential election, the first step that I will implement will be to continue the flexibilities already made with regard to Sunday opening of shops for you to adapt to changing lifestyles, "it said in the statement that was read by the Secretary of State for Trade, Frédéric Lefebvre. "Broadening the conditions for opening of shops on Sundays, giving you more freedom, it's growth for your business is employment for the French, it's purchasing power for your employees , is the strengthening of the tourist attraction that France is strong, "argued the head of state, resuming his campaign slogan. Already in 2007, Nicolas Sarkozy had placed Sunday working at the heart of his campaign, when he presented himself as the candidate of purchasing power and it boasted its famous slogan: "Work more to earn more" .

And since, traders remained dissatisfied. In his "Pact for the development of commerce", presented in November 2011 with the intention of being sent to the candidates in the presidential election, the Board of Trade of France (FPS) requested the opportunity for each merchant to open " freely from 10 to 12 Sundays a year ", even if his store is located" out of area tourism. " The association already put forward "changing lifestyles" and "ambition tourism in France" to justify its request. During sales in January, Frédéric Lefebvre assured that some foreign tour operators were programming does not weekend in Paris because their customers can not be done shopping.

"A little air"

The issue of Sunday opening is sized. With 730,000 businesses, trade accounts for 20% of private jobs in France and 10% of GDP. Its annual sales reached 1.4 trillion euros, said the FPS. However, the federation does not argue for an opening of "all the shops, every Sunday throughout France." "What we want is a relaxation, a little air," said its chairman Gerard Atlan, quoted by AFP. "The dealer should be there when there is revenue to do, when there is none, it closes."

Like Nicolas Sarkozy, the Socialist candidate Francois Hollande has taken hold of the subject. In a video broadcast on the same Estates General of Trade this morning, he says he will engage in "negotiations" on the issue "controversial" work on Sundays. Last date flowage in a parliamentary report prepared last November that voluntary employee to work on Sunday in the authorized areas was "not sufficiently guaranteed" by some companies. For Francois Hollande, it is to find "a balance between the rights of employees" and concern for traders to "respond to new forms of competition." First union to respond, the CFTC has regretted the "social choice" favored by Nicolas Sarkozy, according to the union, further open the way for the "hyper-consumerism."

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The 200 high school students Guillaume Apollinaire, Thiais, Bossuet at Meaux and Turgot in Paris are attentive. They participate in the third Foundation Forum Responsible growth, on globalization and increased competitiveness of France.

Students and teachers were involved in discussions of the working group chaired by Benoît Habert, Deputy Director General of the Dassault Group. A dozen celebrities, including Denis Kessler, CEO of Scor, Jean-Louis Beffa, chairman of honor of Saint-Gobain, Michel Camdessus, former IMF chief, Henri Guaino, special adviser to the president, were interviewed . "Globalization is. It is binding on us. We must adapt, "says a student of Turgot. "Companies do not take enough young alternately. Quotas should be established, "lamented a student of Guillaume Apollinaire.

"We have focused our thinking on improving the competitiveness of the nation and the attention paid to youth. We selected ten proposals that meet three criteria: be applicable across France, presenting a highly leveraged and have a low or no cost, "explained Christian Poyau, Foundation President Responsible Growth, and Benoît Habert , Chairman of the Working Group.

The Foundation recommends that the fight against illiteracy, which affects 20% of French 15 years, a national cause. She wants to develop proficiency in English for age groups entering the labor market by 2020. She favors a reduction of social security the first two years of first use. "The charges would be eliminated in the first year and reduced by 50% the second year. This could be financed by a puncture of the tax shelter on overtime, "say members of the working group.

National Loan

Other tracks are made for improving the competitiveness of France, as the issue of a national loan of more than 100 billion euros in return for a commitment on the golden rule in 2014. The state may borrow only to invest in the economy. Responsible Growth also advocates a reduction in labor costs by funding lower payroll taxes by half for the 50% increase in the rate of VAT and half by the efficiencies of the social model.

Decided to develop links with Education, Responsible Growth Friday sign a partnership agreement with the three academies in the Ile-de-France (Paris, Versailles, Créteil) so that teachers teaching in colleges and high schools and guidance counselors can do internships in companies of all sizes and all sectors. A hundred of them, including the Figaro Group, supporting the initiative.

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