Sundial of world news

The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) has a new president: the senior official of Indian origin Suma Chakrabarti, currently serving in the Ministry of Justice UK. The candidate endorsed by London was elected last night at the general meeting of the bank on the third ballot, with some 52% of the vote. He was then still opposed to the French Philippe de Fontaine Vive Curtaz (23% of the vote), Vice-President of the European Investment Bank (EIB), supported by Paris, and German Thomas Mirow (18% of votes) , the post of chairman since 2008, candidate to succeed him – who had the favor of Berlin.

This is the first time in the history of the EBRD, the presidency of the bank escapes to France or Germany. A result largely due to the impossibility What had the countries of the European Union to agree on an upstream joint application.

The EBRD was created in response to the fall of the Berlin Wall in November 1989. While the Soviet bloc fell one by one, Western leaders had been seized by the fear of emptiness. And it took them just six months to organize an international conference at the Elysee, in the month of May 1990, the treaty establishing the EBRD was signed by 40 heads of state or government, plus the European Commission and the EIB .

Expanded mission

Less than a year later, in April 1991, its headquarters was in working in London in a building of marble, with a little too flashy luxury that will require Jacques Attali, its first president, to resign two years later . The latter, as "special adviser" of Mitterrand, will not remain forever under his real designer.

"A third World Bank, two-thirds Lazard," was launched Attali, who wanted to avoid the rigidities of official development assistance. Today, with a capital of 30 billion euros, it never occurs alone but in partnership with private operators, mainly banks. In principle, its participation in financing projects should not exceed 35%.

His second feature, which distinguishes it from all other international financial institutions, its mission is to promote the market economy, but with intervention only in countries that are subject to "democratic principles", according to terms of reference. Its scope is vast, ranging from the restructuring of public enterprises and SME support to nuclear safety and decommissioning of old plants, including the Chernobyl site.

More original still, the EBRD is defined as deliberately "a bank of Transition" (sic). It is not intended to stay on forever, she believes. "Once the mission is to support the market economy accomplished in a country, we close representation," we said Jean Lemierre, who chaired the EBRD from 2001 to 2008. Initially, she had to withdraw in 2010 the countries that joined the EU in 2004, and it may seem paradoxical that the EBRD remains in Slovakia and Slovenia, which joined the euro area. But because of the financial crisis of 2008, it was agreed that she would remain until 2015.

While the volume of its loans reached a cruising speed of 9 billion euros a year (a quarter in favor of Russia), the shift in the South has been the hallmark of the mandate of Thomas Mirow. He believes that the EBRD is now able to "attract 7.5 billion euros of investment per year in North Africa and Jordan."

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In 2008, he cherished the hope of becoming the first secretary of the PS. But he had finally lined up behind the candidacy of Bertrand Delanoe. In 2011, he thought he could be a candidate for the Socialist primary. Then he threw in the towel, choosing to support Dominique Strauss-Kahn, then rallying Francois Hollande not without obtaining the position of campaign manager. Pierre Moscovici, 54, has learned to give up. Here he is rewarded. He is back in force to the government and assigned the Ministry of Economy, Finance and Foreign Trade. Certainly it does not get the Quai d'Orsay which he dreamed, Laurent Fabius was his favorite. But he inherited a portfolio to match its ambitions. And thereby in passing some disappointed, Michel Sapin in mind. "Mosco" consensual socialist, social democrat, is now a heavyweight team Ayrault, number five in protocol order.

It is he who will be at the forefront of the debt crisis. There is no shortage of assets since knows the workings of Europe. He was, for five years, from 1997 to 2002, Minister Delegate for European Affairs in the Jospin government. At the time, the rise of the Express near the then prime minister, who had just been elected deputy of the Doubs for the first time, had been criticized. But, he will prove himself. Former MEP, a graduate of Sciences Po and ENA, he will prepare no quack the French presidency of the EU, negotiating the Treaty of Nice and the European Constitutional Treaty. During this period of cohabitation, he managed also to find his place against Jacques Chirac. In fact, the President of the Republic and the Socialist Minister for European Affairs are of course in these five years: Chirac taking the young minister with no experience under his wing, even to comfort him when he doubted. An agreement with Lionel Jospin was annoyed.

After the failure of the left in 2002, Moscovici was defeated in the parliamentary elections in the Doubs. A year earlier, he had already failed to municipal Montbéliard. Without parliamentary seat, without mayor, he tried his luck with the 2004 European and found his seat in Strasbourg. In 2007 he was again legislative candidate in the Doubs. This time he wins.

Pierre Moscovici, tried by the Revolutionary Communist League when he was young, joined the PS in 1984. He was close to Michel Rocard, Jospin and Dominique Strauss-Kahn, his former professor at the ENA. He is the son of a social psychologist Serge Moscovici, who was a member of the Romanian Communist Party and fled his country in 1947. Pierre Moscovici was the first to openly criticize the Socialist Francois Mitterrand and his relationship with Rene Bousquet. "What shocks me, he said, is that he can spawn with someone who has been a tool of the state anti-Semitism and an accomplice of the final solution of the Reich." … …..

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The growth figure of France for the first quarter, published this morning, was highly anticipated: it sets the tone of the beginning of the quinquennium the new president. And with sluggish growth in the first three months of the year (after a small increase of 0.1% the last three months of 2011, revised downwards), the least we can say is that the situation will not help Francois Hollande to the implementation of its program. None of the drivers of growth and gives no sign of strength: consumer expenditures of households are "sluggish" (0.2% in the first quarter, after +0.1% the previous one), while investment companies folds (-1.4%), INSEE said. And if imports return to growth, they do not offset the slowdown in exports sufficiently to prevent the trade weighs on growth. As for the production of goods and services, it turns "idle". In total, the growth overhang at the end of March – that is to say, the theoretical progression of GDP if the activity remained stable until the end of the year – amounted to 0.2%.

This stagnation of activity is not a surprise: the National Institute of Statistics had anticipated in March, when it published its quarterly notes on "the fever subsides, recovery will be slow." But the institute did not know then is that this turn of events in Greece could slow it down even further … If the time is not yet at risk of contagion to the Hexagon, "he Avoid the chaotic moments that disturb everyone, Greece is 2% of EU GDP, but this may be part of the little things that become large if not managed properly, "said an official of Bercy.

Dealing with an uncertain

Still, Francois Hollande will have to deal with an uncertain environment low fee cash advance. While the European Commission approved last week forecast growth of 0.5% this year, she expressed doubts about the ability of the new government to reach the figure of 1.7% growth in 2013. However, Francois Hollande believes in his ability to bounce activity. His lieutenant, Michel Sapin, cites as evidence the industrial policy announced by the candidate – more favorable, he said, growth – and European initiatives to materialize before he sees the end of next year, thanks an agreement between France and Germany.

In fact, the new team has no choice if she wants to meet his campaign promises and not be forced to reconsider all of its forecasts. Less growth because it means more unemployment, more deficit and more debt.

To balance its budget equation and honor commitments of public finances – down to 3% of GDP next year – François Hollande planned 29 billion in additional revenue by the end of 2013. But the task is of great magnitude. INSEE has confirmed that the government deficit in France at the end of 2011 stood at 103.1 billion euros, or 5.2% of GDP (decreased by 33.9 billion euros compared to 2010) , "because both the revenue buoyancy and expenditure restraint." It must come down to 4.5% this year. Public debt, it has reached 86% of GDP in 2011. Francois Hollande can not afford any off the road.

Especially since only a few hours meeting with Angela Merkel, Germany has put pressure on France: in the first quarter the economy across the Rhine has seen its GDP grow by 0.5%, bringing its growth on a rolling year to 1.7%. Numbers well above economists' forecasts.

Finally! Nearly three years after entering into partnership, the Alliance Search, research online, the Microsoft and Yahoo! extend to Europe. The operation aims to add Internet searches conducted since those of Yahoo! Bing, the search engine from Microsoft.

This partnership aims to bridge the delay between the two groups facing Google. They desperately need to increase their market share. First, because the algorithms used by search engines feed on queries made: most recent, the stronger the results will be relevant by users.

By capturing more online research, Search Alliance also aims to improve the profitability available to online advertisers and attractiveness. Furthermore, this joint platform simplifies the management of advertising campaigns for advertisers. Thursday, May 4, customers advertising French, British and Irish Yahoo! Search have been switched on the Microsoft platform Adverstising Center. The next step will concern Germany, Switzerland and Austria.

On paper, this combination has many advantages, including simplification, and the advantage of offering an alternative to Google. The only problem is that people do not follow. In the U.S., Google holds nearly two-thirds of the market for online search. Just over 80% in France.

The CEO of Yahoo! lied on his CV

In addition, the deployment of this agreement is particularly slow. Especially in a world that is changing as rapidly as the Web. While Google reflects on responses to set up facing the rise of Facebook, Search Alliance is still looking to counter Google.

And for good reason. The agreement between Microsoft and Yahoo! on-line search was concluded in July 2009. Two years after having negotiated, Carol Bartz, Yahoo! CEO then, decided to suspend operations because of disappointing results, especially for sponsored links. Since then, Carol Bartz was dismissed with loss and noise, before being replaced four months later by Scott Thompson.

But Yahoo! unlucky. Only the group he was commended for a new CEO is a scandal erupted on May 3 Scott Thompson lied on his resume. The man claims to computer science graduate from a prestigious university. It actually has a degree in accounting. The information was revealed by Dan Loeb, head of a fund activist who is seeking seats on the board of Yahoo!. And now, the head of the new boss. If he defends himself by noting that it is just a simple "failure", that is not enough to silence the fire from critics.

United States, we do not mess with the lie. This controversy could not come at a worse for Yahoo!. Already analysts are betting on a possible resignation.

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At a time when many companies are trying to renegotiate the pricing terms of their gas supplies, this is a decision that will make noise: Tuesday, the supervising judge of the Commercial Court of Valenciennes has decided to terminate the contract of long-term supply that united the power plant Poweo Pont-sur-Sambre (North) to Italian energy giant ENI.

March 12, the production plant, now owned by the Austrian Verbund electrician, had been placed under safeguard procedure. Reason: it loses about one million euros per week. Three days later, on March 15, the receiver can catch the commercial court by an application to terminate. There is indeed a difference of nearly 40% between the market price of gas and those supply contracts in the long term, indexed to oil prices – which soared for several weeks. What makes the situation untenable for the Pont-sur-Sambre.

A canceled contract

In fact, the judge may decide the termination under two conditions: firstly, this option is necessary to safeguard the debtor on the other hand, the termination shall not affect significantly the activity of the contractor, in ENI case. The Commercial Court of Valenciennes finally concluded that these two conditions were met, indicating that the supply of Poweo Pont-sur-Sambre – to the tune of 150 million euros per year – accounted for only 0 guaranteed fast personal loans.13% of net Business ENI.

After this decision, the Transalpine oil has several ways to try to counteract it: application for annulment with the commercial court, appeal to the court of appeal, cassation … All these procedures require weeks or months. Meanwhile, the Commercial Court's decision is not suspended and the contract between Poweo Pont-sur-Sambre and ENI is actually terminated.

Whatever the intensity of this battle, it will give ideas to large consumers of gas. They now know that they are likely to be heard before the commercial court if their incumbent supplier does not agree a discount to the extent of the plunge in gas prices. Since the development of shale gas in the U.S. (now exporting) in particular, the economy of this energy has completely returned with an offer suddenly extremely abundant.

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"The year 2012? It will be for managers of private two-tier one year, with a side business confident in their investment and hiring, and the other companies in the uncertainty and lack of visibility on their backlog. I think this is true for regions: some are well oriented, others display recruitment forecasts downward, "says Pierre Lamblin, Director of Studies of Apec. According to the Association for the employment of executives, three regions are traditionally large purveyors of jobs: the Ile-de-France, Rhône-Alpes and Provence-Alpes-Cote d'Azur (PACA), with 45% of GDP and over half of employment in the private sector framework.

Occupational mobility

This year, the Paris Region companies provide hiring 67,900 to 87,800 frames. "Although the Ile-de-France is a region of opportunities, we note that some executives to leave the better quality of life from 35-40 years. Conversely, applying the Paris region makes sense for executives in the provinces, for example after a hiccup or when the ambitions of growth are not up to par, "said Didier Gaillard, CEO of the firm Expectra. A study by Trendeo on employment in the territories has also established that the Ile-de-France, between 2009 and 2011, has a balance of negative job creation of over 7,000 positions, while Aquitaine shows a positive net balance of 12,340 positions.

In Rhone-Alpes, hiring forecasts recorded by Apec range between 16,600 and 19,900 jobs. Assets of the region? Two strong economic centers around Lyon and Grenoble, a structure of skilled jobs and a good balance between industry and services, type of activity and company size, which smoothes the effects of any economic downturns. "There's always a nice dynamic in sectors such as IT, where even we suffer from a shortage of candidates with hard to fill a good half of the jobs entrusted to us. Rhone-Alpes region is however that manages to attract candidates from other geographical origins, "says Jerome Lieutier, regional head of Expectra. With 61% of executives recently installed, the region is one that seems to attract as many newcomers to the Southwest (57%) and Southeast (59%) says a recent study by Michael Page on the situation frames into regions. In the same study, two thirds of executives surveyed nationally had changed region at their last job transfers.

For Paca, the situation appears more mixed. Companies counting on 11,100 to 14,200 recruits executives, representing an increase from – 10% to 15% depending on the scenario compared to the previous year, according to figures from Apec. Regional Sales Manager for the firm Kobaltt, which operates in the business accounting finance, engineering and IT and telecoms, Gregory Blazquez confirms: "In our business, Paca has declined since the end of last year . "

9000 industrial jobs in Midi-Pyrenees

Although relying on smaller volumes of recruitment, other regions have their own in the game This is the case of the Auvergne, driven by the dynamism of Michelin, or Midi-Pyrenees, which displays recruitment needs in the industry (including Aeronautics) of 9000 new employees in the next two years.

Regional Manager for the Western region Expectra, Isabelle Rivard also recalls that the Brittany and Pays de la Loire together with sectors such as aerospace, shipbuilding, biotherapy, or IT and telecoms: "In this last sector, we face a real shortage of candidates, which has always existed, but was strengthened. "The West wins the prize for satisfaction with 94% of managers satisfied with the region in which they work, according to study of Michael Page on frameworks in regions. 

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It would have been a shame to keep the good news to yourself! With two months ahead of the traditional Accounts Committee of Social Security, the government announced Tuesday that the results "still provisional" general scheme for 2011. The deficit reached 17.4 billion euros, 3.5 billion less than budgeted and $ 600 million better than expected in the fall. This "hole" remains the third highest in the history of Social Security, according to records from 2009 and 2010 mainly due to the crisis. The improvement should continue in 2012.

The relatively good surprise of 2011 comes from the health insurance. Its revenues were higher than expected and expenditures lower. "This is essentially care city," said its director for Voices. For Frederic Van Roekeghem although welfare is "slightly under-funded," balance the books "is within reach, without embarking on reforms brutal." A whiff of optimism that the two favorites for the presidential does not contradict probably because of brutal reform, there is no question in their programs.

A tax on CO2 emissions

Logically, Nicolas Sarkozy proposes the continuation of actions taken. Down drug prices and volumes consumed, rationalization of the hospital with the development of ambulatory care homes nearby emergencies to relieve these …: these measures should help contain rising health care costs in rates historically low of 2.5% per year. Faced with medical deserts, the president candidate wants to multiply nursing homes and assist in the installation in rural areas or the suburbs – an ineffective way to date – without seeing the freedom of settlement. Against the excess fees excessive, he put on the new system of government (voluntary physicians to limit the excess and reimbursement by complementary), which does not yet meet the main question.

Nothing fundamental about the pension reform after Woerth – only promise to pay the basic pension from the first of the month, instead of 8. Finally, funding side, social VAT will alleviate employers' contributions, so the cost of labor.

Francois Hollande,, cancel account this increase in VAT if it comes at the Elysee. He announced an increase of one billion euros per year pension contributions to fund its only specific promise in retirement: the possibility of retiring at 60 for employees who worked continuously for 41 years. But he also outlined on Tuesday lexpress.fr other avenues for funding Social Security is no longer based "solely on the work", "go further" in the financing of Medicare by the CSG in particular. This time it would reduce employee contributions – a measure of purchasing power rather than competitiveness, without maturity displayed. The socialist candidate also evokes a tax on CO2 emissions it would be at the European level, said his entourage. Responsible for the "social hub" of the Holland team, Marisol Touraine also promises to abolish social niches, beginning with the overtime.

What Safely restore the balance "on the five-year", with an increase in health spending of 3% per year. This envelope would enable hospitals to escape the alignment of their tariffs with those clinics, lower. Holland is also focusing on third-party payer in town doctors to limit the use of hospital emergency rooms. And to reduce the amounts paid out of pocket by patients, without increasing spending Safely, Marisol Touraine threat to frame the excess fees by law in the fall, except that physicians accept by there limits through negotiation. As for medical deserts, it envisages the partial transposition of the device begins to bear fruit among nurses: ban fees for doctors free to settle where they are already numerous.

France is already the "spoils" of foreign tourists, with 77 million international visitors in 2010, according to World Tourism Organization (WTO). And to remain so, she can count on its approximately 50,000 religious buildings (monasteries, abbeys, cathedrals, churches, synagogues, mosques, etc ….) that attract more and more tourists, especially during holidays such as Easter or All Saints . But not only. "There is definitely a trend in favor of deep spiritual tourism," says Geraldine Bale, president of the association Sanctuaries Cities in France, which includes 15 sites of pilgrimage including Lourdes, Mont Saint-Michel, Chartres, Lisieux or Vézelay ( Yonne). The increase in attendance of these sanctuaries is stable for several years, the range of 5 to 10% per year depending on the site.

The Sanctuary of Lourdes. Photo Credits: Richard VIALERON / Le Figaro

Vivendi confirmed Monday, after market, the departure of Frank Esser, CEO of SFR, revealed by Le Figaro. This departure will be effective from the end of the week. Jean-Bernard Levy, CEO of Vivendi, this function takes live indefinitely. No other redesign teams SFR is expected. The announcement of a smooth transition reassured the 10,000 employees of SFR, where the announcement of the departure of Frank Esser, who presided over the destiny of the group for twelve years, has been a bombshell.

Vivendi wants to take the time to find a new boss for its subsidiary SFR, a pivotal moment in its history. Greatly shaken by the arrival of Free in the mobile sector, Vodafone is obliged to rethink its economic model. And why the research group "rare bird". Several names of potential candidates circulate: Bertrand Meheut (current CEO of Canal +), Thierry Breton (CEO of Atos), Didier Quillot (former CEO of Lagardère Active), Michel Combes (CEO Vodafone Europe), Gilles Pelisson (ex- Accor CEO) and Jacques Veyrat (Direct Energy) … But none is needed.

One thing is certain, the chosen one will have a profile of "cost killer" while SFR expects a decrease of 12% to 15% of its EBITDA margin in 2012 and Jean-Bernard Levy said at the Vivendi earnings presentation in early March, the need to "tighten the bolts." The future head of SFR should be able to reassure financial markets, while the declining profitability of SFR weighs on Vivendi. The stock has lost 17% since the beginning of the year.

The departure of Frank Esser was decided Friday afternoon during a supervisory board of Vivendi, and presented Monday at 5:00 p.m. in the Board of SFR. It does not seem to be a coup as often in the wars of succession, but a decision by mutual agreement. Friday, same day that his fate was sealed, Frank Esser was attending a lunch with the entire executive of Vivendi, in which Jean-Rene Fourtou, director of Vivendi, and Jean-Bernard Levy have sent him some very complimentary. Frank Esser, Mannesmann's German came (acquired by Vodafone), is indeed recognized and appreciated by both teams by his peers.

Free to adjust the face

But, before the onslaught of Free Mobile, it was essential to give new impetus to SFR, which lost 200,000 customers between 10 January and late February. "Jean-Bernard Levy knows SFR. We are confident in its ability to revitalize all appear the beginnings of a stabilization of the situation. After the initial excitement, Free began to experience a certain loss, "said a spokesman for Vivendi.

The task does not look easy. We'll have to cut some expenses without burdening the future. "In the hundreds of service developments underway at SFR, it will have to choose between those that are essential for the future and those who can be stopped, says an inside source. Always painful choices that force teams to redeploy réinternalisant projects that were previously outsourced to external service providers. "The suppliers and providers of SFR should be the first affected by this clampdown.

Add paid features

It will also have to rethink the positioning packaging opportunities. Free Mobile face, all operators have launched entry-level offerings, sold only on the Web at very aggressive prices. But where Bouygues Telecom, the first chopping last July, has managed to impose "B & You", followed by Orange with "Sosh" SFR has not really enticing with its brand "Red" launched in late September.

But offers low-cost, direct response to Free, are not the only priorities. The operators were able over time to all-inclusive packages (visual voicemail, MMS, mobile Internet …). We must now all unravel for a basic package comparable to that of Free, which you must add a number of services at extra cost. A vast perspective.

In this book the day of 12 April 1992, there were a death and birth. While journalists of The Five announced the "definitive interruption of picture and sound," Euro Disney executives were celebrating in front of cameras and music from around the world the opening of Disneyland Paris, an amusement park of 51 hectares. The happy event welcomes all the French and much of their European neighbors. It must be said that the project, past six years in the hands of the Prime Minister at the time, Laurent Fabius, then his successor Jacques Chirac, had had time to stir curiosity. If the creation, California's first park Mickey (Walt Disney himself) was in 1955 and the Walt Disney World was born in Orlando in 1971, for our old continent, it was a novelty.

Twenty years later, the "baby" is all grown up but his fans do not get tired payday loan. With over 250 million registered users since its opening, Disneyland Paris, with its 57 attractions, its 62 shops, 58 restaurants and seven hotels, has become the first tourist destination européenne.Dès April 1, they should still be Many are not rushing. For if Disney has demonstrated his expertise with regard to birthdays, for 20 years, he predicted great. Great. (Mickey) Maousse. Night show revolutionary, unprecedented parade, being revamped, new decorations … many surprises imagined by the creators of the new company to delight guests and regulars. "This anniversary we celebrate the progress, ensures Philippe Gas, Euro Disney president since 2008. And we want to do with all those who have made Disneyland with us. "

The castle of Sleeping Beauty turned

"An explosion of magic, light and color"