The State pocketed 526 million francs due to non-traded

29th February

 

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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Veolia: the rumor caused a political uproar Borloo

21st February

 

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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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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EDF tried for spying on Greenpeace

16th October

EDF appears from Monday morning before the correctional court of Nanterre for spying in 2006, a computer anti-nuclear organization Greenpeace. The electrician, as a corporation, and the head of his security service at the time, Pascal Durieux, 64, and his assistant Pierre-François Paul, 63, are charged with complicity of "undermining a system of automated data processing. " In other words for hacking.

EDF did not directly hacked the hard drive of Yannick Jadot, director of Greenpeace campaign. The company had used a business intelligence company, Kargus Consultants, headed by Thierry Lohro. Which had sought a self-taught hacker of his knowledge, Alain Quiros. The attacker was not enough stealth since he left traces on the computer of another victim allowed the court to go back to the folder Greenpeace.

Thierry Lohro is a former agent of the DGSE. Alain Quiros occasionally worked for the Atlantic Intelligence Company, founded by the former head of the GIGN Philippe Legorjus. EDF side, Pascal Durieux against a former admiral and his assistant Pierre-Paul Francis was a police officer.

Appropriate forum for Greenpeace

Facing the judge Thomas Cassuto, the two leaders EDF – removed from office in April 2009 – have denied knowledge of the illegal means used to gather information on Greenpeace. As for the CD-ROM found in the safe of Pierre-Paul Francois at EDF 1420 containing pirated files on the computer of Yannick Jadot, MM. François Durieux, and would not have bothered to watch the content according to their testimony. Pierre-François Paul does not deny having been presented to the hacker by Thierry Lohro Quiros in a cafe near the Military Club a few months before piracy.In addition, EDF has established two contracts with Kargus Consultants, a first in 2004 in the amount of 10,000 euros per month, the second in November 2006 providing for a fee of EUR 4,664 cash advances pay day loan.40 per month for one year. Police, Thierry Lohro said the contract was payment for subsequent operation of piracy.

Yannick Jadot, target of piracy, became MEP and spokesperson Eva Joly, the Green candidate for president: the trial offers a timely media platform to Greenpeace. And the opportunity to prove nothing less than "nuclear power is incompatible with the rules of French democracy." The organization claims 8.3 million euros in damages to EDF. For his part, counsel for the energy giant, Alex Gublin, raise, according to AFP, a priority issue of constitutionality (QPC) for a retroactive application of the law.The discretion of the President of the 15th Criminal Chamber, Isabelle Prevost-Desprez, the trial could be returned, or take place over ten days of the hearing.

Of doping in cycling hacking

The investigation that led to the indictment of EDF to a computer hacking Greenpeace's original appearance in a case removed: doping the American cyclist Floyd Landis, winner – decommissioned – the Tour de France 2006. On 14 September 2006, the department's National Laboratory for Doping Detection (LNDD) of Chatenay-Malabry discovers an intrusion on one of its computers. The police investigation following the complaint of the laboratory establishes a chain of links – which passes by the renowned Pinkerton Detective Agency U.S. – between Arnie Baker, coach of the cyclist, and a certain Alain Quiros, hacker to its hours.Surrounding the yellow jersey doped sought to discredit the LNDD to strengthen his defense. Computer equipment seized from Alain Quiros, exiled in Morocco since the fall of 2006, will the investigators on the trail of other victims of the hacker. Among them, the association of small shareholders of Vivendi and Yannick Jadot, campaign director of Greenpeace.

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Toshiba testing of online services for seniors

26th September

"Television will become the media on which the user will find all the services he needs, including health," said Philippe Delahaye, president of Toshiba Systems France. For nearly a year and for another six months, the Japanese tests, with the support of the General Council of Bas-Rhin, a service called Demeter and home support for elderly dependents.

The system set up involves monitoring remote computer. But not to frighten the people involved, the main unit is television, connected to the Internet. "The equipment costs about 6,000 euros full, two months' rent in a nursing home," said Philip Bell, general manager of Toshiba-Cebea, a subsidiary of Toshiba dedicated services.This includes television and home automation equipment, including a smoke detector, a wristband alarm in case of fall and appliances suitable for pathology (blood pressure, diabetes control …). Then, the service costs 200 euros per month, including Internet access.

"This allows medical personnel to perform remote controls, but also the patient to easily get in touch with family members through a videoconferencing system on the TV," said Philip Bell. Medical staff and the senior may also contact by mail, through an electronic pen. Just write on a single sheet, the text is automatically entered and the e-mail sent when the pen is rested on its base free business cards. Forms to the attention of nurses and doctors have also been developed: just check the right boxes with the electronic pen and they are added to the medical record.It also allows for monitoring of medication, food … "We found that health staff was not comfortable with a keyboard, where the idea of ​​electronic pen, said Philip Bell . We are also working to develop a speech recognition system. "

Recurring revenues

For Toshiba, the objective is to develop this service at the national level but also in other countries. Japan pays attention to the experience of Alsace. Beyond the societal issues related to aging, a new economic model that is emerging. This type of service should allow the manufacturer to generate recurring revenue through subscriptions.

"The rise of the TV connected through the development of local services," added Philippe Delahaye.Most TVs sold today by Toshiba can be connected to the Internet, or consumers do not always use this function. By bringing seniors to the technology, Toshiba is not only the population but also those around them: Health care workers, children and grandchildren.

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"The markets are on the precipice"

11th September

Lefigaro.fr – The CAC 40 has lost nearly a quarter of its value in two months. How far the fall can she lead?

Fabrice Cousté – If one believes technical analysis you can go touch the low of March 2009 or even lower. The crisis we are experiencing is in fact more serious than that of three years ago because this time it is not the bankruptcy of one or more banks, but the bankruptcy of one or more States, so the problems of a different magnitude, in terms of their economic and especially political resolution.

How do you explain this precipitous drop?

As in 2008, financial markets were dislocated during the summer. There is now only a few buyers and many market players are taking advantage of any rebound to settle more positions. Also new microeconomics is no longer supported.Investors are looking more because the health of companies but only macroeconomic statistics or information. Since the summer, the flow of news, always negative, points out that the problems are structural and feeds a climate of anxiety in markets that are on the precipice. Political leaders do not seem to be aware of.

Therefore what strategy should investors adopt by the end of the year?

Some titles "refuge" as Essilor, Sanofi, L'Oreal and Air Liquide are kept in the portfolio. But volatility remains high and the risk of further correction as well.That's why I advise investors to discover the techniques to learn to hedge their portfolios with options or CFD (contract between two investors who agree to exchange the difference between the opening and Closing of support) to cushion the shock if further decline. In the panic, investors often sell too late.

The adoption of the second conditional aid package to Greece by the German Sages is not likely to reassure investors?

It is a relief. Yet it is a "Yes … but." Long as there is a "but" in the ads on the debt crisis, financial markets will continue to brood as these conditions overlap with the responsiveness needed to face an emergency no fax payday advance.They sanction the policy of "baby steps" of states and the total lack of solidarity within the euro area. Financial markets require only the words of intent but long-term certainty. What the politicians are unable to provide them because of their short maturities.

Are you worried about the euro area?

Yes I am. Of course, unlike the Anglo-Saxons, we do not feel in the euro area of ​​hatred against the European currency. Now if political leaders do not take the measure of the crisis in which we find ourselves, an explosion in the euro area is inevitable.Therefore, two scenarios are possible: either an exit of the weakest states in the euro zone as Greece and contagion Portugal, Spain see Italy or output states that do not want to pay for others such as Germany, the Netherlands and Austria.

So with these massive sales of shares, you expect a flight to government bonds when the debt crisis brewing in Europe and the United States?

This seems paradoxical, but yes. Institutional investors always prefer to put their money on assets "refuge" and especially liquids. As proof, the 10-year bonds of the United States have not suffered from the deterioration of "AAA" of the country. The run on U.S. government bonds has even caused a decline in their performance at historic levels.Same point in Germany and France or the bonds have not suffered from the debt crisis. This means that as long as fear prevails, German bonds, French and American continue to be purchased. Instead, the assets considered risky such as stocks are penalized. This situation can be reversed quickly if positive catalyst. Until that clicks, investors should follow the strategy of China continues to diversify its investments between the United States, Europe and Africa.

The marginal impact of relocation

2nd August

The French plébiscitent increasing the "Made in France" and it has not escaped the business. A craze that falls well: rising transportation costs and wage inflation from 15% to 20% in some Chinese factories coastal converge today to encourage the repatriation of some production lines to France and Europe. But if some companies are beginning to consider such a policy change, few are still those who skip it.

"There is clearly more interesting now than to relocate whole or in part," says Jean-Luc Fonteneau, a partner in the consulting firm Diagma logistics. "But do not mistake: these factors on their own are not sufficient to stimulate a significant movement of relocations. For now, our customers are content to talk about it.The cost differential is still largely in favor of Asia, "said he.

Geneviève Lethu, Rossignol, Decathlon or Meccano, who chose to relocate all or part of their production in recent years, rather then make an exception. Geneviève Lethu for example, production costs remain two to three times higher in France than in Southeast Asia, says Edmond Kassapian, its CEO. The company has nevertheless chosen to relocation, mainly to improve the quality of its products.

In this context, the rise in commodity prices and wage inflation in recent months weigh little. "In textiles, for example, transportation is only 5% to 10% of the production cost of an item.As for wage increases, even if the percentages are impressive, they represent less than 3% of payroll French, "Jean-Luc Fonteneau calculated. Some companies also try to compensate by shifting their production to Vietnam …, the consultant observed.

Automation

The figures confirm this analysis. According to a recent study by two economists at the University of Poitiers, Liliane Bonnal Olivier Bouba-Olga and the relocations to France remain marginal effect cash advance today. Based on data reported by the Centre for Investment in 2008 and 2009, economists have identified all the operations of investment and divestment activity in France. Relocations represent only 0.3% of these operations, 24 cases in two years.In total, they recorded a relocation to six relocations, and a job created for 30 jobs lost because of offshoring. "Only 500 jobs were created in two years because of relocations," says Olivier Bouba-Olga.

Because they "do not result in any case not by major job creation," said El Mouhoub Mouhoud, an economist at Paris Dauphine University and author of "Globalization and offshoring of business" by Editions la Découverte. In most cases, they are indeed driven by companies that have chosen to automate their production. "So that the jobs lost in Southeast Asia and elsewhere are almost never compensated in France," the judge economist.

The marginal nature of the relocation is also reflected in the lack of excitement generated by government schemes to encourage them."The tax credit for relocating business established in 2007 has hardly ever been used," says El Mouhoub Mouhoud. As for the relocation bonus, with a budget of 200 million euros and announced with great fanfare in the aftermath of the States General of Industry, it is simply more. "The premium has been recast in within a broader, that of using the re-industrialization," says one to the Ministry of Industry. The latter has only 20 million euros. If "the world's factory" that is China is losing some ground, France did for the moment that gets a few scraps.

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A new boss at JDD

20th July

New boss to change the head of the Sunday Journal (JDD). The managing editor Olivier Jay, who had succeeded in February 2010 in Christian de Villeneuve, will give up his post. It will soon be replaced by Jérôme Bellay, former head of France Info, a LCI and Europe, as revealed by the site of the weekly Le Point.

According to our information, features Jérôme Bellay in the day of the seventh day of the Lagardère group is expected to exceed the strict framework of the chief editor. He should be appointed as director of next September. Faithful group Lagardère, Jérôme Bellay it now runs the production company Maximum.Founded in September 2000, Maximal Productions (a subsidiary of Lagardère Entertainment) produces reports, documentaries and magazines for information and knowledge, which the magazine "C in the air" presented by Yves Calvi on the channel France 5.

Olivier Jay was received by Lesouëf Bruno, the CEO of Lagardère Active magazine, and Denis Olivennes, the new head of group media information center (Europe 1, Paris Match and Le JDD). Its future within the group is not yet known. Neither Lagardère Active or Denis Olivennes have commented on the desired information.

Le Journal du Dimanche, which opened a new formula on March 6, saw its circulation fall by France paid 13% in the first quarter of 2011 compared to the same period in 2010, according to OJD, reaching 233,445 copies.The change at the head of management to allow, according to sources familiar with the matter, to give "even more attractive to breath and JDD to be a major news magazine seventh day."

Doubts about the car "ultra-low-cost" of Renault in India

16th July

If its economic potential is enormous, India as a country is decidedly difficult to grasp. The leaders of Renault and Nissan just to experience it. Friday morning, they learned by reading the Wall Street Journal as Bajaj, the Indian partner with whom they work since 2007 on the launch vehicle "ultra-low-cost," had decided to suspend the project. "We do not intend to get into the niche of low-margin cars," said Rajiv Bajaj to the director of Bajaj Auto. The announcement surprised Renault, which evoked a statement "uncoordinated". And for good reason: in the afternoon, Bajaj stated, in a statement that "the project Bajaj-Renault-Nissan was continuing and that the new platform would be presented to Renault-Nissan in January 2012."

Officially the project is not stopped.Communication amazing Indians necessarily leads to questions. The target market for these vehicles at very low cost, that is to say less than 3000 dollars, however, is huge. The goal is to put millions of Indians who use two-and three-wheeled rickshaws that the famous Bajaj is one of the leaders in the car.

Difficulties for the Nano

But the economic model is not easy to find, as shown by the difficulties encountered by the Tata Nano, the pioneer of its kind launched in 2008. Tata has indeed had to increase the price of the Nano several times since its launch. Today it is sold at a price of about $ 4,000 against $ 2,500 at the presentation of the project. In addition, the model has undergone a number of technical problems, which has dented its image among consumers. Result: sales prove disappointing.At June 30, less than 22,000 had been passed Nano on the previous twelve months. Far from the target of 250,000 vehicles in stride.

To compete with the Nano is that Renault and Nissan sign an agreement with Bajaj in 2007. Bajaj should design the vehicle, which will be sold by Renault and Nissan. The first date given for such marketing is in 2010. It then slides to 2011 and 2012. Yet this is a purely theoretical date, since the decision to launch this vehicle has never been officially made. And nothing says it will be taken, especially after the delay yesterday. It would not be the first disappointment for Renault in India. In April 2010, the group had in fact ended a joint venture with Mahindra & Mahindra, which produced, with little success, Logan. These difficulties do not however call into question the ambitions of Renault in India.The Diamond brand has even made one of its three priority countries in development. It has a factory in Chennai, which already manufactures the Nissan Micra. And introduced an aggressive new product launches. For a month, the Fluence sedan is marketed. The Koleos 4 × 4 will follow in September. And announcements are expected for the new salon in New Delhi, to be held next January.

Obama promises an agreement on the debt by August 2

12th July

Barack Obama sought Monday to change the tone of the negotiations on reducing the budget deficit. "I am ready to face criticism from Democrats for an agreement that allows to raise the debt ceiling," said Monday the president of the United States, before resuming discussions with congressional leaders have fallen into the impasse. "We will reach agreement before August 2," promised the president at a press conference.

Placing himself as an arbiter between the two factions partisan, Barack Obama said: "The Republicans are going to have to compromise, as the Democrats." He hoped that the negotiations continue "all day", "until a solution is found."

Their challenge is twofold. The first is to adopt a compromise that reduces the medium to long-term U.S. budget deficits.But the compromise also depends on the adoption by August 2 of a law that raises the ceiling for the debt of the United States. Otherwise, the U.S. Treasury would no longer issue the bonds needed to honor the debts of Uncle Sam was general such a defect of the United States would have catastrophic consequences for the entire global economy.

Avoiding tax increases

During the weekend negotiations have stalled or even declined. Democrats accuse Republicans of blocking any agreement by refusing the principle of tax increases. For their part, Republicans reject the approach proposed by Barack Obama on an ambitious four trillion dollars in savings over ten years.They are rather a compromise of around 2 trillion, thinking to keep their campaign promise to block any tax increase.

To complicate matters, the elected Democrats have their doubts about the path traced by the White House. Barack Obama asks them, in fact, painful concessions in the form of savings in programs popular pension and health care. Yet the Democrats do not want to pay the price in the November 2012 legislative concessions that make a great historical compromise personal serving the cause of Barack Obama but not his party.In addition, the recent rise in unemployment leads them to reconsider their promise to reduce government spending made a few weeks ago as part of negotiations led by the then vice president, Joe Biden.

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