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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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It was one of the key ideas of the socialist program, before Francis Holland revise downwards its ambitions: the merger of the Income Tax (IR) and the CSG. Now the PS candidate speaks only of reconciliation by the end of its protection mandate. In 2010, the UMP had also considered the option of a merger-IR CSG, before abandoning it.

A government report, prepared by the Department of Budget aimed at parliamentarians, rather gives reason to oppose this tax big bang. For this report, as Le Figaro has obtained, says the administration will not be able to say, before the implementation of the reform, which categories of French will be the winners and which classes will lose. And even if she knows the parameters of the operation. The fusion of IR and CSG would be a leap into the unknown. A leap of faith with immense fiscal challenges: the CSG reported 86 billion in 2011 and IR 48.9 billion.

A complex system

It is the complexity of the current system is causing these problems. The IR and the CSG are two very different taxes. The CSG is proportional. Wages, regardless of their levels, are always punctured by 7.5%. The IR is progressive: the tax rate varies according to income. Income between 5,963 and 11,896 euros per year are taxed at 5.5%, those between 11,896 and 26,420 euros to 14%, etc.. And, unlike the CSG, the IR has many niches. Finally, the IR takes into account the composition of the family through the family quotient, that is not the CSG.

Reconcile the two systems implies change settings so numerous that it becomes impossible to measure the combined effects. There is no way, says Bercy, to be certain that the objective (make taxation more "just" socially, with fewer niches and a progressive scale, as desired by the Socialists) is reached.

No flat tax

The report further finds that certain categories, such as pensioners, could lose to a fusion of IR and the CSG. Their two advantages (a CSG lower, a 10% reduction on the IR) could be questioned.

However, the new tax could not, whatever happens, be modeled on some flat tax adopted in Eastern Europe. The flat taxne not take into account the family situation, is proportional and is taken directly from the payroll. But the report stresses that the new French tax must meet three criteria, under penalty of being declared unconstitutional: consider the family situation, be progressive (not proportional) and tax all income. However nothing prevents the imposition of a levy directly on the payroll in France. But again, tipping is technically complex … Merge the IR and the CSG to create a new tax is a long, complicated, and uncertain results.

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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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While the government is preparing a new fiscal tightening, because of spending cuts and tax increases, the debate on VAT resurfaced. One of the approaches proposed by the executive would be to create a new intermediate rate, between the rate of 5.5% and 19.6%. This increase targeted VAT would be used to finance a reduction in social enterprises. This was called the "social VAT" in 2007 and now named the UMP "antidélocalisation VAT."

Francois Fillon said last week that the restoration work and housing continue to benefit from a 5.5% VAT. But there are other sectors taxed at the same rate (books, food, water …). This pattern of a VAT has the advantage of antidélocalisation consistent with the government's strategy to improve competitiveness.Many big names of the majority favor this option, as revealed by Le Monde Wednesday payday loans for bad credit. But the subject is politically sensitive.

At Bercy and Matignon, we refused to comment Wednesday, reaffirming that decisions depend on the outcome of EU summit.

However, it seems almost assumed that the new austerity plan will include an increase in corporate income tax, most likely via a surcharge, which weigh down for a few years the current rate of 33.3%. This surcharge would be targeted at large companies (those falling within the scope of the social contribution to the IS and therefore paying more for 763,000 euros IS). For cons, the Elysee remains opposed to a reduction in payroll tax relief for 35 hours.

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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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On one stone? Intense negotiations are under way for at least a solution, at least in part, to two simultaneous problems: the failure credit faced by French local authorities, and the fragility of the balance sheet of oversized French-Belgian bank Dexia.

Concordant sources, in fact, Dexia, the Deposit Bank and postal workers, under the watchful eye of the state, to create a new bank, public, local communities. Friday, none of the parties did not wish to make comments.

The new entity will take over long held by Crédit Local de France (CLF), ancestor of Dexia, with mayors, councils and other French regions.Its creation would be an opportunity to ease the minds of elected officials, heated by the explosion of interest on certain loans "toxic", including underwritten by Dexia before 2008. The new state-owned bank could put forward a much more wise.

Above all, his arrival on the market would open the tap of credit to local communities. In a financial crisis, Dexia and its competitors, such as savings banks, Societe Generale and foreign banks have largely abandoned this market in recent months.

The Postal Bank and the Caisse des Depots would hold society together, Dexia that may remain a shareholder.They should also take control of all or part of the loan portfolio of existing communities with Dexia French (70 billion euros) and Dexia Municipal Agency: such operators shall ensure, by means of mortgage bonds, the refinancing of the commitment of Dexia. A new ownership would bring also the financial strength necessary to maintain its "AAA" rating.

Pirouette history

For Dexia, the operation could be an opportunity to significantly reduce its balance sheet totaling more than 500 billion euros guaranteed online personal loans. It has already been reduced by 15% year on year, thanks to the divestment of assets made in the first half. But despite this recent treatment, the group remains fragile, especially in the current distrust of markets against financial groups in Europe.

"The idea is on the table.Its terms are far from being arrested, "said a source familiar with the matter. The role of Dexia, the volume of the transferred assets, their quality – particularly with regard to loans that are the subject of disputes with communities who have subscribed – all of which are still on the table. Many criteria which depend then the financial terms of the transaction.

The reactive pattern of lines of inquiry explored from 2008-2009. Even then, the idea of ​​the deposits of La Banque Postale deal with Dexia loans (assets of French local authorities are placed in the Treasury) was considered. The arrival of the CDC in the capital of La Banque Postale has facilitated the project. The project has also the flavor of a sacred spin the story to the Fund: Crédit Local de France was born of a branch of the Caisse des Depots, which then end up twenty years after a historic activity.But for the CDC, the issue is complex: it has (with the NOC) 20% of Dexia, it has recapitalized with the Belgian shareholders in 2008 to see the action rolled back in recent months. Perform an operation which finally reduces the bank's balance sheet and liquidity requirements would constitute a significant step forward. This is what its proponents would argue with the board, including representatives from Belgium, possibly as early as next Tuesday.

Certainly, Barack Obama will not have failed to read the study. While the U.S. President will propose to Congress on Monday a special tax on the income of taxpayers earning over a million dollars a year (about 725,000 euros), a survey by the University of Virginia published in early September in the journal Psychological Science, points out that a more progressive tax system is, the higher the level of "happiness" of its citizens is high. In other words, severely taxing the wealthiest taxpayers would be a catalyst for social welfare, said Shigehiro Oishi, director of the study.

Based on the results of such surveys of the American Institute Gallup, the researchers sifted through the levels of well-being of 54 countries by comparing them with the "escalation" of their respective tax systems.It appears that countries with happiness displayed by the people is the highest (led the quintet Denmark, Finland, Switzerland, Belgium, and Australia in that order) are those whose levels of taxation do matter the most high vis-à-vis the highest incomes. Note that France, whose maximum tax rate fell from 48.1% to 41% over the period 2003-2010 according to a KPMG survey of the institute, for its part, is ranked the twelfth largest in terms of " happiness "overall.

Public services better

But because of the difficulty of measuring this "joie de vivre", which does not depend exclusively on the level of wealth of a population, these results are to be taken lightly.And the United States, the richest country in the world and has a maximum tax rate of 35% in 2010 to eighth carracolent barometer of well-being of Gallup, far ahead of France.

Still, according Shigehiro Oishi, the correlation between a higher tax on high incomes and "joie de vivre" is mainly due to better quality public services in the countries concerned. He cites all government expenditures for "housing, education and public transport."

Under this prism, so some argue that the will of Barack Obama to tax more millionaires will have no impact on the happiness of Americans, as this is seen against a plan to reduce the budget deficit. But gentle irony, at least one of its taxpayers would certainly his "joie de vivre 'progress: the billionaire Warren Buffett.In an article published last month in The New York Times, the head of Berkshire Hathaway investment fund argued for such a measure: "While the poorer classes and middle classes are fighting for us in Afghanistan, while most Americans are struggling to make ends meet month we mega-wealthy continue to benefit from special tax exemptions, "he complained. Not sure, however, that the unanimity of implementation within the cocoon of "mega-rich"!

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Christine Lagarde sounded the call to order. The Director of the International Monetary Fund, speaking on Thursday, a week before a meeting of its 187 Member States in Washington, has directly addressed to world leaders that "procrastination" and "policy failures" resulting , led to the establishment of a "vicious circle" that affects all economies.

The director of the institution states that "the weak growth and fragile balance sheets, those States, financial institutions and households, reinforce one another, fueling the crisis of confidence and slow demand, investment and job creation. " For Christine Lagarde, "there is too much debt in the system.The uncertainties in the States in all advanced economies, the banks in Europe and on households in the United States. "

To "common front"

Since this vicious circle "is gaining momentum," the IMF said that "the time is not the withdrawal, to halftone or palliative No teletrack payday loans." One solution can work: the "common front". More alarming than ever, Christine Lagarde warned that "if the developed countries fall into recession, emerging markets will not be spared. In fact nobody will. "

Wednesday already, Christine Lagarde called for the establishment of a "collective action, immediate and bold." She asked especially to countries that have the fiscal space to support growth. "My role is to ensure that this call to action is heard. I can not believe that governments do not share my opinion, "she explained.He added that "countries have an incentive to act collectively in the interest of the economy."

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After a slight improvement in June, the French trade deficit is growing again. In July, he approached his record in May, to 6.46 billion euros related Customs. The cumulative deficit of the past 12 months amounted to 67.2 billion euros, against 51.66 billion in 2010. Imports rebounded after declining in June, while exports, they, are progressing very slowly.

The foreign sales amounted to 34.76 billion euros, up from just 100 million euros a month. "The strong sales of intermediate goods and automotive (…) is in fact largely offset by significant declines in aeronautics (sales and production programs for Airbus)," note Customs. The Airbus sales were $ 1.18 billion in July, after 2 billion in June. These figures are very volatile and depend on the delivery of the industry.In terms of client countries, exports to the EU declined, but remain dynamic to America no teletrek payday advance. They pack down to Asia and the Middle East.

Imports have increased their share of over one billion euros in July, reaching 41.22 billion euros. Much of this figure is driven by purchases of oil and gas products, that is to say the energy bill. But "a return to the trend of supply aircraft (Airbus program)" boosted purchases of transportation equipment, within Customs. A trend that explains the same time heavy imports from Germany, rebound largely due to imports of parts for Airbus. This is accompanied, however, "an increase in purchasing automobiles, chemicals and industrial machinery, 'the Customs.

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Eurobonds are too expensive. It is seeking to demonstrate that the calculations of the German Ministry of Finance, taken by the weekly Der Spiegel on Sunday. This mechanism, which is to pool the debts of 17 countries in the euro area, regardless of their health, the first year would cost 2.5 billion euros of interest in addition to the budget of the German finance minister. This cost would be twice as high the second year to a total of 20 to 25 billion at the end of ten years.

On this basis, German Chancellor Angela Merkel has once again firmly rejected the introduction of this system, although many market professionals believe that this is the solution to the crisis of European sovereign debt. "The Eurobonds are quite the wrong response to the crisis of the moment.They would lead us to a union of debt and not a union of stability, "she says in an interview with ZDF.

His comments echo those made by the Minister of Economy Philip Rösler the newspaper Bild am Sonntag: "The Euro-bonds are a bad signal sent to national economies failed. Cover the risks of other countries with Eurobonds would immediately drive up interest rates in Germany. This would have dramatic effects on growth in our country, "said he.

Strengthening governance

Despite all these outputs, the German government did not draw a line under this system payday loans in 1 hour. The finance minister, Wolfgang Schäuble, has again said that the countries of the euro area could issue Eurobonds if échafaudent prior fiscal policy and fiscal policy.But this move towards integration is not fast enough, he said. "Most Member States are not quite ready to accept the necessary limitations on national sovereignty. But believe me, it's a problem we can solve, "said the Minister in an interview with Welt am Sonntag.

Wishing to lead by example, Wolfgang Schäuble has said for his part personally prepared to transfer sovereignty to Brussels. "As a person, I would be ready. The idea of ​​a European finance minister I have no problem.But as finance minister I say that it is our duty to solve problems here and now, and that as soon as possible based on existing contracts. "

Wolfgang Schäuble will meet his French counterpart Francois Baroin Tuesday to discuss the harmonization of corporate tax and the introduction of a tax on financial transactions. France is the country with Germany most strongly opposed to the Eurobonds.

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