Sundial of world news

LE FIGARO. – Must restart nuclear power plants in Japan?

Nobuo Tanaka. – Yes, as soon as possible. Iran represents a huge potential risk. Over 80% of our oil imports and 20% of our gas imports pass through the Strait of Hormuz. We have 170 days of oil stocks, only 20 days for gas. Iranian attack risk is much higher than that of a large tsunami! If we do jumpstart by plants, it could be missed 10% of electricity this summer.

How much would it cost to Japan to do without nuclear power?

At current oil prices, just to replace the current nuclear by fossil fuels, it would cost 3 trillion yen per year (28 billion euros, Ed).

To diversify your natural gas supplies, the construction of an undersea pipeline bringing Russian gas via the neighboring island of Sakhalin is feasible?

Just as the German decision to import Soviet gas in the 1970s improved the Germano-Russian relationship, build a pipeline could help solve the diplomatic dispute that pits Japan against Russia over the Kuril Islands. Russia's interest to diversify its customers in the Far East. Japan could also operate its own gas: methane hydrates on the ocean floor mats are a great potential, especially if oil prices continue to rise much.

How to develop renewable energy in Japan, which are still marginal?

I see no future for the solar wind, in Japan. The government will introduce a feed-in tariff incentive. This is necessary but not sufficient. To complement the intermittent energy, it takes gas or geothermal energy, and a soft market. There is also great potential in marine energy.

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The French are increasingly choosing to sustainable consumption. With the crisis, their new creed is "eat less but eat better." The year 2012 starts elsewhere in the gloom on the front of the consumer. The French have reduced their spending by 0.4% in January, INSEE announced Tuesday. This is despite the sales. A recent survey * Ifop, higher wages and purchasing power is a priority concern for 58% of French people (+ 7 points from August 2011) in the context of the presidential election. In addition to these concerns, the ideals of consumption in ecological hints are an echo in these times of crisis. A brief overview of the latest trends in cutting waste.

• Donations from individuals, to stop throwing

"Donation after donation, we change the world." Is the slogan of Freecycle.org, a global network of gifts between individuals born in the United States in 2003, which now has 7 million members in 95 countries. In France, it boasts just over 44,000 members. The principle is simple: users register for free on the site to enter into relationships with other individuals and to make donations and recovery of objects. With over 345,000 members, the site Donnons.org created in 2006 has never experienced the crisis. In February, over 9,000 people registered on the site, after more than 11,000 new members in January. "With the decline in purchasing power, our members are looking for an alternative way to consume, and want to give new life to objects instead of flooding the waste dumps," said Isabella Geist, moderating Donnons.org. For the poorest, this site allows free access to certain equipment. "Unlike associations, we function as a social network. Some people stay in touch after making a donation. "

The "comeback" the most spectacular remains of the knitting. Photo credits: Karine Image / Flickr

Thierry Martel speaks for the first time since his arrival eventful last October at the head of Groupama. This 48-year polytechnic has climbed the ladder of mutual group. He was propelled to the Managing Director following the sudden ouster of Jean Azema, in the fall. The new boss is going to present the annual results in heavy losses, marked by a series of writedowns on Greece and its major shareholdings, including Societe Generale and Veolia. To strengthen the solvency of the group, the leader began a series of disposals. It is expected to announce in the coming weeks than EUROCOURTAGE, one of the nuggets of the group. After years of rapid growth and acquisitions at high prices paid, Groupama will focus on its business heart.

LE FIGARO. – You have taken the lead on Groupama end of October. How do you assess the state of the group?

Thierry Martel. – The economic fundamentals are very solid group. We also present a very good operating results in 2011. However, it should be expected, due to the fall in equity markets in the second half of 2011 and our high exposure to the Greek crisis, to a net loss. But our level of liquidity has not suffered, it is even exceptionally high.

Can you detail these impairments?

The Greek crisis will have cost us just over 2 billion euros. Moreover, the fall in equity markets in the second half in 2011 has weighed up to 1.2 billion in securities and Societe Generale to the tune of 600 million euros for the stake in Veolia, which experienced a low in December 31, 2011 . That said, just since January 1, 2012, our securities portfolios have taken 2 billion euros.

You have announced your intention to sell EUROCOURTAGE and your UK business. Where are you?

Both operations are progressing smoothly. Several candidates have emerged and are currently in the data room. As expected, the name of the buyer EUROCOURTAGE be announced in March. The divestiture will occur then British.

Are you concerned that the action of the minority, who consider themselves injured by the transaction price, call into question the sale of Silic to the Deposit (CDC)?

No, I have every confidence in the success of this operation. The reconciliation between Icade and Silic is a great industrial success. The price at which we sold our interest is the market price, as demonstrated by studies experts.

Your accounts at the end of December would they have been approved by your supervisory authority without funding from the CDC?

Yes, our solvency at 31 December was above the legal limit without the operation of EUROCOURTAGE payday loan lenders. I heard of a "rescue" of Groupama: it makes no sense. The operations we have conducted with the CDC are primarily industrial operations that create value for both Groupama for the CDC.

To what extent do your customers have been affected by your financial difficulties?

Not only do our customers have remained loyal, but we increased our market share in our core businesses in 2011, thanks to excellent business results. Our 16 million members and customers have always been central to our priorities. Our financial losses they have not been passed: we will absorb them through our own funds.

How do you steer Groupama?

This crisis makes me put more than ever before in our mutual values: transparency vis-à-vis members and elected officials who represent them, sharing strategic decisions with regional banks, prudent risk management, commitment to dialogue Social. Confidence is the key to success is the reason why I will travel to many general meetings of regional banks to engage directly with members of the group's orientations.

And on a more operational?

I want to focus on Groupama markets where it has strong positions and the most profit potential. In France, we continue our strategy of global financial player in insurance and banking because we believe in the synergy of these commercial activities. In addition, we will complete in 2014 the convergence of all regional banks on the same information system, which will lower our costs. The Group has the widest range of offers, services and distribution channels. My ambition is to run at full capacity this great economic machine.

Precisely, do you have to tighten the savings plan announced in October?

We will refine and accelerate but overall we remain on the plan announced in the fall, that is to say 400 million euros in savings, by 2014. Meanwhile, we reinforce our policy of controlling technical risk is an essential factor in the outcome. Let's be clear: even at the height of the crisis last fall, employment has never been for us an adjustment variable.

Continue you always plan to become one of the top ten European insurers?

No, this is no longer a goal. Similarly, we decided to stop the proposed listing of the group. We are moving from a strategy of size to a performance strategy that will enable us to further strengthen our solvency.

Friday night to Saturday was quieter at the meeting, but the measures in favor of Purchasing Power announced Friday night failed to extinguish the fire of protest against the "cost of living." Among the nudges forward, lower gasoline prices, freezing or lower prices of 40 basic commodities, and a social tariff for electricity.

Measures "insufficient" and "incomplete," according to the protesters. The meeting recorded an unemployment rate of 20% to 60% and explodes for youth under 25. Social minima are the same in the mainland but the cost of living is more expensive.

• Decreased 8 cents per liter of petrol and diesel

From 1 March until the end of the year, the price of gasoline at the pump will be reduced by 8 cents per liter. The question of fuel is essential for Reunion, forced to move by car or scooter as public transport is scarce and disorganized. In the department, a liter of gasoline costs 1.66 Unleaded 95 euro more than the French average of 1.58 euro (absolute record at February 17, 2012), but the diesel will cost "only" 1.29 (1.42 against euro on average throughout France).

Each month, fuel prices at the Meeting are set by prefectural order, depending on the variation in supply costs. This discount of eight cents and will be decided each month and achieved through a reduction of taxation. It will be financed by a renunciation of communities and the Chamber of Commerce to certain taxes, while importers of petroleum products will agree an effort.  

In France, for every liter of gasoline paid, the TIPP (domestic tax on petroleum products) is 60 cents for Unleaded and 42 cents for diesel. In some cases – this is the meeting – a fraction of the TIPP has been attributed to the regions, which may modulate the rate. Moreover, the prefect wants the establishment of a new storage of fuels, to create competition against the monopoly of the single fuel distribution company on the island.

In addition, the UMP president of the regional council, Didier Robert, will remove the "dock dues" on fuel, local taxes related 24 million euros per year, collected by the Region and then shared with other communities.

• Gel or lower prices for basic commodities

The price of forty staples will be either a decline or a gel. The list will be developed with retailers and consumers and published Thursday.

The council said that among these products, there would be "ten countries products, that is to say, as locally produced milk, oil, diapers, bleach, pork or chicken, which decline by 20 to 30%. " An effort of 23 million euros for this community, chaired by Nassimah Dindar, who is also counting on an effort by producers. Negotiations should continue throughout the weekend.

At the meeting, the social minima are the same in the mainland. Among the 830,000 inhabitants on the island, 52% live below the poverty line, or with less than 795 euros. 20% are unemployed. Among youth under 25%, the unemployment rate explodes to 60%. Now the population is young at the meeting: 56% had less than thirty years. However, prices of consumer goods, from food to clothing, there are more expensive than in the mainland, since most are imported. According to figures from INSEE, prices in 2009 were 15.6% higher at the meeting in the mainland. In 2010, the gap narrowed to 12.4%, for an average consumer basket, including rent. By comparison, in Guadeloupe, prices are 14.8% higher on average than in metropolitan France (in 2010), 16.9% more expensive in Martinique and 19.6% in Guyana.

• A social tariff for electricity

The effort on the forehead of electricity would represent a decrease of about 40% of the invoice concerned Reunion. The prefect said the families receiving the minimum social wage and minimum wage up to 1.4 are affected by this social tariff. These rates apply EDF funded by the General Council.

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The majority of French (63%) believe that pensions will diminish in the future, according to a poll conducted for CSA-Cecop Circle Fund. Professional categories most affluent are most worried (78% of executives).

To address this possible shortfall, more than half of respondents (54%) plan to save a priority to prepare for retirement (45% of them have savings to cover their expenses insurance). For them, life insurance seems inescapable. "It is still perceived as the ideal investment," said Jerome Jaffre, director of the Center for Knowledge and Public Opinion (Cecop).

Only 2% of redemptions reinvested in other investments

However, life insurance was shunned by investors in 2011. For the first time, they withdrew more money than they paid. Net inflows fell to 7.6 billion euros in 2011, almost seven times less than in 2010.

"Most investors have mostly drew on their savings to consume or purchase real estate payday loan lenders. Only 2% of redemptions were reinvested in other financial investments, "says Philippe Crevel, general secretary of the circle of investors. This trend may ease this year, with 85% claim that they do not intend to touch the savings in the coming months.

In this election, more than one French respondent in two (55%) think that the left, if she wins the 2012 election, will not restore the statutory retirement age to 60 years. And 58% of them anticipate even ultimately rejected a legal age to 65. In 2011, there were only 30% think.

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We already knew: the end of July with the recruitment of the Argentine Javier Pastore, 42 million euros, PSG beat this year's record for the most important transfer window of the history of Ligue 1. More than 80 million euros on the table to secure the services of Kevin Gameiro, Blaise Matuidi or Mohamed Sissoko, in addition to the Argentine star.

But these numbers make you dizzy do not stop there. According to information from Parisiende this Friday, players Parisians would also take the upper hand with regard to wages. If this is the side of the Canebière found the most important emoluments (midfielder Lucho Gonzalez for 360,000 euros gross per month), 11 players received wages in the capital to more than 200,000 euros according to the daily gross , 9 against Olympique de Marseille.Among the better-off PSG, there is the Brazilian Nene, with 335,000 euros a month, the Uruguayan Diego Lugano (330 000 euros per month) and Mamadou Sakho and Mohamed Sissoko with 320,000 euros each. Marseille side, only Andre-Pierre Gignac and Alou Diarra reach 300,000 euros gross, behind Lucho Gonzalez.

Result of what the newspaper called the effect Qatar "for the first time in many years, the Paris payroll exceeds that of the OM, yet most consistent club in its results in recent seasons." Last season the two teams were still tied, with 60% of their budget going to pay their players, according to the site salairede.com.

The biggest salary in the stands

Not really surprising, when Qatar Sports Investments, the buyer in June 70% of the Parisian club is known for his ability to put their hands in the pocket.

The Financial Stability Board, responsible for coordinating global financial regulation, announced Friday on the sidelines of the G20 is a list of 29 banks deemed "systemic". In other words, they are major financial institutions worldwide, which by their size or nature of their activities, are likely to destabilize the world in case of bankruptcy.

It's a surprise, as many as four French banks are listed: BNP Paribas, Credit Agricole, Societe Generale and BPCE. Including Dexia, the Franco-Belgian bank in difficulty, the quota is the tricolor represented after the eight listed U.S. banks, JPMorgan and Wells Fargo, to Goldman Sachs. Are also four British, three Japanese, two Swiss, or an Italian bank (UniCredit) and Spain (Santander).Bank of China, finally, is the only Chinese bank to integrate this "elite" of fat.

These institutions, the list will be reviewed annually, will be subject to increased surveillance by the regulators. In particular, they will be more capitalized than their competitors. While the Basel Committee requires hard capital ratio of 7% for all banks, these institutions must show systemic 1.5 to 2.5 points of additional ratio by 2019. The exact level will be set for each speaker in 2014.

Pay the piper

This is for the authorities to break this hellish dynamic in which the banks seek to become ever larger, more complex, with no risk to it since at the end is always the taxpayer who pays the pieces.

A double crisis summit before the true summit! This is the shock treatment that Europe has inflicted over the last hour due to Greek crisis. Completely disrupting the predetermined agenda, European leaders met late Wednesday afternoon in Cannes on the eve of the official opening of the G20, to try to restore order in their home. The foundations of the euro have been greatly shaken by the surprise decision by Greek Prime Minister George Papandreou, to submit the agreement between EU leaders in Brussels on October 27, in a referendum. Called to come and explain this decision, the Greek ruler walked away from Cannes late Wednesday night.

In a press conference, Angela Merkel and Nicolas Sarkozy have shown a very high severity, both in form and substance. "We will not let destroy Europe and the euro," commented Nicolas Sarkozy.The Greeks have to say quickly and clearly if they choose or not to keep their place in the euro area. "

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A new situation is emerging in the financing of aircraft purchased by the airlines. This is a consequence of the crisis of public debt in Europe, the requirements of the new banking regulations, known as "Basel 3" and the growing importance of Asia in the economy of air transport. The challenge for French banks? Maintain their global leadership in a profession where they excel with a market share of 31%.

For several months, the pressure rises. French banks are caught between access to dollar funding more difficult and more expensive as well as compliance with the new banking criteria, which leads them to reduce the size of their balance sheets by arbitrating between their trades. Over those that involve the preservation of long-term assets in dollars, typically aircraft.Because the dollar is the currency of reference in aeronautics.

The dollar, currency of

Societe Generale announced in mid-October cut its financing by air. BNP Paribas would seek to exchange air assets against dollar assets denominated in other currencies. Markets are concerned. What would the impact of a withdrawal, even partial, of Airbus, of which 17% of deliveries were financed by French banks in the last 18 months? Indeed, everything is played on delivery. This is when the company spends between 65 and 70% of the price of the aircraft ordered several years ago and for which a timetable has been set following the first installment (5 to 10%) paid at the signing the contract.

The reform of the public can also make people happy. Steria has indeed been selected by the government to ensure the realization of information system (HRIS) in several ministries. Eventually, the system developed by IT services will allow the operator National Payroll (ONP) to ensure the payment of more than 3 million of state agents.

The contract for a period of four years, approximately $ 9 million, is part of the modernization program of the French state.The aim is thus to make available to all client departments "a single computer system and meet the shared challenges of transforming the State civil service," said Steria.

Olivier Vallet, CEO of Steria, said that this contract is "in line with the recent gain of the TMA Chorus for the modernization of budgetary aspects of the state."

The public outsource more and more private

More generally, as part of the reform of the public, the state increases the outsourcing to private faxless cash advance. Several departments regularly use the public-private partnership, recently this method of financing involving the State and communities to a private group concerned the areas of economy, technology, defense, education or further transport.

In particular, the management of part of the tracks is transferred to the private sector.In addition, the police will not be responsible to accompany the convoys exceptional. The state decided to entrust to private companies the management of transportation of wind turbines, ships and other bulky goods. The opening to competition of regional express trains could well tip the railway in the private sector. Public-private partnerships have also been established in the field of defense. The company has particular DCI took over the management of flight hours and the helicopter fleet of the School of Dax.

LIREAUSSI:

"The state accelerates the outsourcing to private