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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Wednesday after the nationalization of the first network of savings banks Bankia, the Spanish government on Friday introduced a new banking reform, the second in less than three months. Madrid requires banks an additional provision of $ 30 billion. This will add to the 53 billion that should already be provisioned by the end of the year to cover the risk of real estate the most problematic, representing € 184 billion globally, according to Bank of Spain.

This caution will also be extended to 123 billion of property assets considered non-problematic "for their hypothetical deterioration" in the words of Minister of Economy, Luis de Guindos. In total, Spanish banks will be funded 45% of their total real estate assets by the end of the year. Before the first government reform Rajoy, the rate was only 14%, the minister recalled. Other decision, banks will separate the real estate assets from their balance sheets and place them in specialized agencies, to better assess the right price. "It will be mandatory for all entities," the minister said. In the interests of transparency, and meet there at a request of the Eurogroup, Madrid will carry out audits of accounts. "Two independent evaluators" will be responsible for judging the soundness and credibility of assessments.

Recession in 2013

The question is how banks can finance such levels of provision and how much will be deducted from their own funds. Guindos recalled that during the last injection of public money made by the previous government, the fund Frob had lent 15 billion euros to banks. "The total should be this time significantly lower," he thought, noting that the state would receive an interest rate of 10% on money lent. "The Frob keeps 5 billion in cash. We will see how it will be necessary to supplement, "said Guindos. The Minister further stated that this funding through convertible bonds to five years, would cost "nothing" to the taxpayer.

The exercise of clarity has not convinced the markets: the Madrid Stock Exchange immediately plunged 3%, carried away by banks. The chief minister, Mariano Rajoy, nice hammer that the deficit will not be affected, the target of 5.3% of GDP this year, against 8.5% in December, and above 3% target in 2013 , is very hypothetical. The European Commission, which today released its new forecasts for the euro area, anticipates a deficit of 6.3% of GDP in 2012, even worse, 6.4% in 2013. In less than three months, Brussels has revised up sharply the recession, to 1.8% of GDP, against 1% previously. Next year, the economy would be even the only Iberian euro area to be in red.

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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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Cards, Vitale, SIM for mobile phones, biometric passports, Navigo … The smart card, created by Roland Moreno, resulted in a multitude of high-tech objects indispensable in our daily lives. Amateur science fiction, self-taught, this French born in Cairo in 1945 and died Sunday in Paris had the idea to invent a portable device to store information. He had filed the first patent of the smart card in 1974 and it took him eight years to convince bankers, RATP and other industrial utility of his invention.

A small fortune

But his perseverance has won the chip has become a social phenomenon on a global scale. And Roland Moreno has made a small fortune. "Before the patent of the smart card does not fall into the public domain in 1998, it brought me close to 150 million euros faxless cash advances. Since I saw through the excess cash, "he explained in 2007 the newspaper La Croix.

The inventor has sold ten years ago its shares in Gemplus, a French manufacturer of smart cards. But he remained at the head of his company Innovatron, which continues to collect fees on contactless cards as Vélib 'or Navigo. A method based on radio transmission of data qu'Innovatron was developed in 1994 with the RATP.

Passionate about new technologies, Roland Moreno worked in parallel, to launch a poker site online. He was also busy writing the second volume of the ambient theory brothel, a book which is against the "tyranny of the original in the field of art."

LE FIGARO. – The Netherlands seems to suddenly become Eurosceptics. Why?

Luuk van Middelaar. – In reality, they have always been skeptical about some aspects of the European Union. The Netherlands were among the six founding countries, but their motivation was primarily economic, unlike France, which favored the political dimension. The Dutch have always fought for measures that represent an economic interest, such as the European patent. Then the country became a net contributor to EU budget around 2000, which is not conducive to enthusiasm! As for the current debate over the stability pact, we must not underestimate the impact of the crisis of 2003, when Paris and Berlin have violated common rules: it has reinforced the inferiority syndrome of small countries.

Failure in the referendum on the constitution has he not been exceeded?

France and the Netherlands voted no, but for very different reasons. The French were especially opposed to Europe "neoliberal" characterized by the Bolkestein directive on services, named after the Dutch commissioner … In the Netherlands, by contrast, we did not want an "other" Europe, but "less" Europe, if at all! The Dutch were not opposed to a political Europe.

The debate on the return to national currencies is more violent than elsewhere in the Netherlands. Why?

In the Netherlands, the euro has always inspired mistrust. These fears are now confirmed by the mismanagement of other member countries. Dutch MPs debated the creation of two variants of the euro, the "neuro" for the North and the "Zeuro" for the South. But this debate has remained economically, while the euro has a geopolitical origin: it is a concession of the Germans at the time of reunification.

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The export machine of South Korea is emerging. After suffering the brunt of the crisis of the euro, the Land of the Morning Calm-recorded in the first quarter its strongest growth last year, demonstrating its ability to rebound. Seoul announced Thursday a 0.9% growth, a significant increase compared to 0.3% the previous quarter, fueling hopes of an annual expansion of 3.5%, the OECD predicted.

"We're doing relatively well, given the weak global economy", says Kim Young-bae, director of the Bank of Korea. Relief is required by decision makers of the fourth largest economy in Asia, 46% of GDP depends on exports, particularly to Europe, its second largest trading partner after China. This slight increase is a lifeline ripped by large groups, such as Hyundai Motors, which recorded an increase of 31% of its revenue through increased sales in the U.S. and Europe.

But behind these numbers right, the clouds on the horizon. An OECD report, published Thursday in Seoul, tip the scale of the demographic challenge that awaits the young democracy of 50 million people and threatens its future development. With a fertility rate among the lowest in the world (1.05 children per woman), the country will suffer in the coming year accelerated aging which will impact negatively on growth.

"Marriage strike"

Followed by the specter of Japan, model and longtime rival, the path of decline. The OECD calls on Seoul to take the bull by the horns by implementing proactive measures to adapt to the demographic shock. First, by raising the birth rate by funding systems affordable child care, while most South Koreans are forced to choose between career and motherhood. If women entered heavily on the labor market, often times Stakhanovists companies make it difficult to balance work and motherhood. So, 40% in their thirties who are employed are single. This "marriage strike" is a major cause of the bust according to the Korea Development Institute (KDI).

The OECD also stresses the urgency of improving the productivity per hour, two times lower than that of advanced countries, reforming an education system where cramming is the key to success.

These measures are all the more necessary that the country is not ready for mass immigration, as evidenced by a recent survey that only 36% of South Koreans favor the coexistence of different cultures on their territories. On April 13, Jasmine Lee's election, the first member of foreign origin, has unleashed a slew of racial slurs online, highlighting the challenge.

Only a major geopolitical upheaval in Pyongyang leading to early reunification with North Korea seems able to thwart the predictions of the OECD.

The ras-le-bol rises among users of TGV Nantes / Angers / Le Mans / Paris. And also the response … The members of the collective defense of Subscribers Line Atlantic (Ladala) took a new step in their protest movement against the repeated delays of the station, on the line leading to the capital. The trick to reach the railway portfolio. To do this, they have not hesitated to launch a "ghost TGV" massively by booking every seat of a TGV line in question. Of seats they will not play of course. Each member buying between 5 and 10 seats, 800 seats have already been blocked, all classes, as pointed out this morning on RTL Pascal Mignot, the representative of the collective.

Reaction except the SNCF, the train should travel empty, which would result in a serious shortfall. Because the protesters are concerned subscribers, a status that gives them access to places for a mere $ 1.50. And the date chosen is not trivial since the 250 members of Ladala have set Wednesday, May 16, the eve of Ascension Day and the weekend so great starts.

Greece of tickets

This is not the first time Ladala tries to voice his displeasure. Mid-March, the group had launched a strike of tickets and passes, along with daily rallies in trains and on platforms. Faced with the continuing delays and lack of financial consequences for the SNCF, the association thus increases the pressure, also taking on its website a statement of the duration of the movement, and delays on this line.

Faced with the accumulation of failures since the schedule changes in December 2011, their demands are clear: rate freeze on packages (over 500 euros per month), on-time to avoid disputes with employers, indemnity 2.5 euros per 10 minutes late, and got 150 euro for subscribers to compensate for failures of January, February and March. In total, officials estimate that the collective duration of 14 hours cumulative delays over this period.

Side of the Authority of the quality of service in transport (AQST, dependent on the Ministry of Ecology), although the figures show a surge in failures since November, with up to 30% of trains delayed . But since February, the trend seems to be improving. Apparently not enough to calm those subscribers, still wearing a badge "subscribers on strike," which also launched an online petition and sent a letter to presidential candidates. Denouncing a 18% increase in travel time on an ordinary trip to Le Mans / Paris, they have finally created a Twitter account inviting followers to list all the failures of the Atlantic line. An initiative that has been emulated the Creusot subscribers and Amiens have since joined the movement.

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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.

]]> http://sundialsnakes.com/safely-candidates-clarify-their-program/feed/ 0 http://sundialsnakes.com/france-appeals-to-the-religious-tourists/ http://sundialsnakes.com/france-appeals-to-the-religious-tourists/#comments Sat, 07 Apr 2012 13:44:12 +0000 admin http://sundialsnakes.com/france-appeals-to-the-religious-tourists/  

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

In the daily press Lorraine, Nicolas Sarkozy stood this weekend against the attitude of union CFDT ArcelorMittal Florange. "As for the permanent of the CFDT, they betray the trust of employees, has accused President. They came to insult me ​​and try to break my campaign headquarters. Do not confuse the employees of ArcelorMittal, that I will not let go, and trade unionists who are misleading their members by making policy instead of defending the interests of employees. "

The position of the Inter, which includes the CFDT but also the CGT and FO, was clearly inflected in February, when ArcelorMittal's management confirmed that the blast furnaces would restart Florange does not in the second quarter. February 16, Edward Martin, representative of the CFDT in Florange, stated the following: "Florange be the nightmare of government." Similarly, the Inter visited March 15 at the headquarters of candidate Nicolas Sarkozy, although Edward Martin rejects absolutely any act of violence.

"Our members are worried"

Proof of this political positioning, "the CFE-CGC withdrew from the Inter Florange mid-March, because our union wants to totally apolitical," said Francois Pagano, CFE-CGC Section Florange. "Our members are also very concerned about this policy orientation," he says again.

Concern that does not detract from the representativeness of the CFDT and the Inter Florange. In the last elections, in January 2011, the CFDT has confirmed its position as the union on the site. And three members of the Inter unions represent no less than 75% of the vote with a turnout of over 90%!

"On Steel"

Their attitude now very policy may be explained partly by the proximity of the presidential election but also by the discouragement with the government of some trade unionists, still marked by the permanent closure of Gandhinagar in 2009 business card. Result: claims very close to the program of Francois Hollande: "We want the government to ban any dismantling of the site and seeks an industrial partner to take it back," he explains, while participating in a "march of steel ", which covers about twenty employees and must lead them in Paris on April 6.

Except that Lakshmi Mittal, chairman of the steel group, is not this in mind closing the entire site. If restarting the blast furnace is in no way guaranteed, ArcelorMittal announced, as reiterated Nicolas Sarkozy, 17 million euro investment in the coking plant, upstream of blast furnaces, and finishing, downstream. Ads that perpetuate these activities for several years.

The risk of claims is that they are too political cons-productive futures. The example of Liege, whose furnaces have permanently closed at the end of last year, is not reassuring. A report commissioned by the Walloon region and explained earlier this year that "unions have adopted an approach almost exclusively protest, based on the challenge of any permanent changes, the systematic use of the strike, protest against any change in method work (…) which discouraged all the intentions of successive shareholders. "

A risk which seem aware, however stakeholders Lorraine: "There were only four days of blocking the site, precise and Edward Martin. And the plant has resumed normal operations for several weeks. "An information confirmed by ArcelorMittal.

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