21st November

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

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

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

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

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

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

16th November

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

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

Stops short penalized more

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

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.

Steve Jobs has died

7th October

Steve Jobs, Apple's iconic boss, who invented, among other things, the iPod and iPhone, died Wednesday at age 56. "We are deeply saddened to announce that Steve Jobs died today," said a brief statement of the board.

"Apple has lost a visionary and a creative genius, and the world lost an incredible human being," said his successor at the head of Apple's Tim Cook, in an email to employees of the group. "Steve leaves behind a company that only he could have built, and his spirit will forever be the foundation of Apple," he said free credit score.

Born in San Francisco February 24, 1955, Steve Jobs was suffering from serious health problems for several years. It was reached in 2004 with a rare form of pancreatic cancer and underwent a liver transplant in 2009.On sick leave since January, he announced his resignation from his position as CEO on August 24, giving the reins to his number two Tim Cook. He reappeared briefly in March, thinner, to present the new version of the iPad, the tablet from Apple.

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Local authorities will have their bank

25th September

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.

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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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.

Medicare: 2.2 billion of savings proposed in 2012

6th July

Twenty-six proposals to save 2.2 billion euros next year, a "natural" tendency of increase of 6.9 billion. Like every year, Medicare will send the Government's proposals for the 2012 budget of Social Security. The executive will draw freely but in general it holds most of the suggestions. Recommended no action shall impose on the insured – no further change or delisting rules to support 100% of long-term illness. What to avoid controversy, the approach of important elections …

Lower prices on medicines and prostheses

The pharmaceutical industry, which would be greatly put to use, will not fail to warn on jobs and innovation at risk.Medicare proposes that for more expensive drugs than in other European countries (PPIs, statins …), the price of new generic is 70% below the price of branded products, instead of 55% on average. It also calls for reductions in tariffs on drugs dispensed in hospitals and on the hip and knee, where prices were set 15 years ago. These are ceiling prices. If health facilities are getting better, they are expected to return half of the economy to health insurance. The controls will be strengthened as the "Safely" has recovered as well as 500,000 euros in 2009, while the gap between actual rates of prostheses and ceilings … reached 100 million!

Use more effective against private insurers

In traffic accidents, the driver's fault auto insurance reimburses the Medicare health care costs guaranteed fast personal loans.But last year, in 90,000 cases, auto insurance had acknowledged responsibility for his client, but Medicare had covered any claim. 300 million euros in waiting! The procedures could be revised to reduce delays.

Reduced use of hospitalization

Medicare proposes to create "autonomous centers," halfway between medical practice and hospital, to perform acts of simple outpatient surgery such as cataract operations. She also imagines the "technical package" for the city can equip practitioners in their offices and perform acts usually performed in the hospital (extraction of wisdom teeth, interventional radiology …). Interest: a lower cost than hospitalization.Finally, institutions of hospital at home who do more than other acts also achievable by independent nurses – to 4 times less in the case of complex dressings – would be put under prior agreement.

"Coaching" and insured for more prevention

Tested in the Sarthe, the "Active Health" offers workshops – advice and soon the Internet – on heart health, back pain and diet. A key, less medication use, care and work stoppages. It could be extended to ten other cases. The program Sophia (accompanying diabetes by nurses over the phone), launched in 19 counties, it would be generalized and extended to asthma.

Zynga wants to raise a billion dollars

4th July

Facebook has brought together people around the world. The publisher of online games Zynga has sought to occupy, creating applications fun to explore with friends, as Farmville, World Café and the recent Empire & Allies. In four years, Zynga has become the leading provider of online social games. Above all, the company has developed a profitable business it is preparing to introduce the stock market.

According to the draft filed Friday with the U.S. authorities of the Exchange, the company plans to raise $ 1 billion. It already has shareholders including Mark Pincus, CEO and founder (16%), Kleiner Perkins funds (11%) and Institutional Venture Partners (6.1%), Russian DST also present in Facebook and Groupon (5.8 %) or Reid Hoffman, co-founder of LinkedIn. Only part of the capital would be put on the market. The document does not specify the timing or the valuation of the company.Its shares traded, however, already on the gray market at a valuation of $ 20 billion. Other estimates place it at $ 15 billion.

A destiny linked to Facebook

Therefore, these amounts bet on the growth of highly profitable business model. Zynga pulls up the majority of its revenue from the sale of virtual goods, while just over 5% comes from advertising. In 2010 it sold its games for $ 839 million of tractors and apple virtual pixels. The turnover of the editor, who must pay back a 30% commission to Facebook for hosting games and payment management through its Facebook Credits, reached $ 598 million.Its net income totaled $ 90.6 million for the year.

The rise of social networking takes Zynga and sales: in the first quarter of 2011, it jumped 133% to account for 235.5 million dollars in revenue. Some analysts place and the turnover of the company in 2011 to nearly $ 1.5 billion.

But this success Zynga is intrinsically linked to that of Facebook. "If we fail to maintain a good relationship with Facebook, our business will suffer," admits the company. A change of terms and conditions of alienation or social network users to the site and will impact directly the activity of Zynga. Another challenge for start-up: it must successfully implement its business model to success in the mobile, from which a growing number of users connecting to Facebook.Finally, the majority of revenue is generated by Zynga a few games. To sustain and develop its income, the publisher could therefore benefit from its IPO to buy competitors. The company already has $ 995 million in cash.

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