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."

Scene of guerrilla warfare to CGT. Tuesday morning, Bernard Thibault has changed the agenda of the Confederal Executive Commission – Government organization – to tackle the delicate subject of his estate, scheduled in 2013. According to several sources, the current Secretary General is violently attacked Éric Aubin, head of the Federation of Construction and Mr. Retreats plant, now in the best position to replace him internally. He was particularly criticized for having "declared available for the organization" – see, to replace him – which could "jeopardize the CGT." The tradition is indeed whether the outgoing Secretary General proposes that the name of his successor and not potential candidates who declare themselves. The officers, totally subject to Bernard Thibault, drove home the point by comparing the current situation to that of 1946 when FO had decided to split … Atmosphere.

Launching in December a major consultation to discuss his succession, the head of the CGT has pulled himself shot in the foot. He was convinced that the name of Agnes Naton (or Nadine Prigent, disqualified from because of its rigidity) would come out of the hat. But this is Eric Aubin, supported by large federations Building, Energy, of Railway, Postal, Chemical and others who came out. "Bernard Thibault was completely outdated and no longer knows how to get out today, a judge as part of the organization. Then he attempts a coup but nobody is willing to let him. "  

Thoroughly review the organization of the confederation

It must be said that Eric Aubin warned that if named secretary general he would review thoroughly the organization and operation, very self-centered around the general secretary of the confederation. "It scares some people who will lose their influence," an expert analysis. Including a whole bunch of "retirees" who gravitate to Bernard Thibault and continue, in fact, to hold the reins of the organization.

Nobody really understands what Bernard Thibault to blame Eric Aubin. "He keeps saying he does not reproach him and everything is fine between them but he can not help him put banana peels in its path," Judge a close. The secretary general of the CGT argued for including Eric Aubin is not highlighted at the general meeting on pensions on January 31, at the Zenith in Paris, which marked the launch of the anti-reelection Nicolas Sarkozy. Mere fact truly "objective": the current boss of the CGT – who would have liked to re-enlist a fifth term before members of the Executive Board make him understand that they were not at all favorable – would leave a trace in the history of Central imposing a woman to head the organization. "It's now or never," continues he repeated: Naton Agnes, one of his close confederate in the office, not the name. "Unfortunately Eric Aubin is a man and it does not stick with the designs of Bernard Thibault," quips one part of the plant.

In the end, the Executive Board on Tuesday urged Bernard Thibault to continue its consultation, without changing the terms continually. The head of the CGT must deliver a name to the next meeting on April 17 before embarking on a tour of France to test in the territories. "He will not propose that Eric Aubin, provides one of its members. He will try one last time to push Agnes Naton but we will not be impressed. "

The final decision will be taken on May 30, at a special meeting of the national confederal committee, the parliament of the organization. In the meantime, the Executive Board will have retained a name

.

At the initiative of the head of the DGB, the all-powerful central labor Angela Merkel received Thursday, union officials from ten European countries, including François Chérèque, the secretary general of the CFDT. Before the unionists Italian, Spanish, Greek, came to speak of the harmful effects of excessive rigor in Europe … Chancellor pleaded the necessity of fiscal consolidation and structural reforms in the countries in difficulty.

"We came to tell him that the tax agreement, alone, alone will not solve Europe's problems," says the boss of the German DGB. Like the European social democratic parties, trade union representatives are calling for initiatives to boost growth and employment on the continent. "I told him I was going to be jealous of the political class in France, where they are likely to want to meet her!" Welcomed Francois Chereque, who claims to have provoked a smile with his reference to Merkel visit you failed to François Hollande. Before taking his own way in the electoral debate Merkel French: "This is all the more symbolic of being received by the Chancellor, the intermediate bodies are treated fairly contemptuous by the French president." …. ….

On the merits, the chancellor has remained true to its principles. The Greeks, she explained that including the minimum wage in their country is still too high compared to that of the Portuguese. However, it also recognized the need to implement investment programs to support employment in Europe.

"Merkel is the head of the most powerful country in Europe and it imposes its austerity," Judge Chérèque denouncing the "wage dumping" across the Rhine, where wages are "of 5 euros per hour against 10 euros in Alsace in the food industry ", resulting in his relocation to Germany French in this branch. And explain that "the European trade unions have agreed to the adoption of a social pact" based on a convergence in this area including the adoption of a "minimum wage" that would be European "60% the average wage of each country "of the Union.

Merkel told them that Germany could not afford a general minimum wage of € 8 per hour.

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The time was expected. First of the three major presidential candidates invited to decline on Tuesday his plan at a symposium on "the challenges of competitiveness," co-organized by the French private companies (which brings together 100 companies from the Hexagon ), Francois Hollande has held the outlines of his program: a list of measures already known (contract generation, modulation of the corporate income tax according to their size, targeting of state subsidies on exporting companies, strengthening the research tax credit, development of strategic sectors, removal of certain tax loopholes …).

The Socialist candidate has also confirmed its intention to bring the public accounts in balance in 2017, through increased levies on businesses and wealthier households, as well as via a public expenditure control. Confirming that an effort would be de facto called on business, without raising disapproval in the audience, he said he was ready to "deal individually" each boss in the room who would care

.

Francois Hollande also recognizes a problem of labor costs in France in some sectors, particularly in relation to Germany. But he believes that cost almost the same on both sides of the Rhine in the manufacturing industry. Consequently, he criticizes "the so-called social VAT" the President has enacted before the end of the legislature: a measure "unjust, ineffective and inconsistent." He said the social VAT will have only a modest effect on exports as it will particularly benefit sectors not exposed to competition.

"There's a bidding war right now"

Only novelty of the discourse of the socialist candidate: the proposal for implementation of a "national pact of competitiveness" that would combine the State, enterprises, social partners and also, perhaps, the financial system quick cash. All this small world would agree to set "goals of competitiveness," which could exceed the cap of a five-year term. "The State would be to set the vision, through taxation, regulation, avoiding social change all the time and especially in the last week of five-year," said Francois Hollande.

The former head of PS is also expressed in two recent tax measures unveiled by Nicolas Sarkozy. Minimum taxes on corporations that do not pay taxes in France? This provision would penalize, he said, companies that have decided to keep their headquarters in France. It was much more verbose, and verve, on the taxation of tax exiles made Monday night on TF1 by the Head of State.

"There's a bidding war right now," he quips, perhaps in reference to his own project to tax at 75% on incomes above one million euros per year. "Whether the measure is an illusion because ultimately, if it does not apply to artists, athletes and those who put their heritage in the countries concerned, it's about that? Only those who have capital income?, He tried. Or the measurement is much stronger and the question of the overall tax exile and assume it all to negotiate tax treaties with the countries concerned. "

Lapidary conclusion: "I feel that right now there is a candidate who will do anything except renegotiate the treaty has been signed." Francois Hollande has indeed drawn the ire of Nicolas Sarkozy, to want to add a component on the growth of fiscal discipline pact, signed but not ratified by European states. "I leave you with this judgment on how to campaign," decide the favorite in the polls.

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After Greece, out of bankruptcy risk through the release of a second bailout of 130 billion euros, it was Spain who finds himself in the crosshairs of the Eurogroup, meeting on Monday evening in Brussels. The Spanish finance minister will have to explain on the skids deficits Spanish before his peers, the European Commission and the ECB President.

The prime minister, Mariano Rajoy, had a surprise, on March 2, alongside the European Council, stating that Spain would build his 2012 budget with a deficit target of 5.8% of GDP, while that agreed with the EU was 4.4%, to reach 3% of GDP deficit in 2013.

The market reaction was not long in coming. Following this, the cost of borrowing from Spain to 10 years jumped to nearly 5% more than for the first time in months, that of Italy. Guardian of the future "fiscal pact", the European Commission ordered a "serious blunder", brandished the threat of financial sanctions and sent experts to Madrid to assess the fiscal situation. Last year, the Spanish public deficit soared more than expected to reach 8.51% of GDP in late 2011.

Threat of sanctions

"There is no questioning of objectives," says the Spanish Minister of Economy, Luis De Guindos, in an interview Sunday on ABC newspaper. "Spain is a loyal member of the EU who feels bound by the European fiscal rules," he says.

Engaged in a very severe austerity measures, faces a general strike in late March because of its reform of the labor market, Spain is weighed down by losses of its regions, which have slipped to 2.9% of GDP against only 1.3% under-the Madrid region meets its objectives, which weighs heavily on central government accounts.

Barely out of the Greek crisis, "the euro area can not afford a new speculative attack," recalls one in Brussels. The Commission will ask the government to submit a plan "credible" to bring deficits to 3% in 2013, implying a say in Brussels on the draft budget 2012 Spanish.

Monday night, finance ministers from the euro area will give the green light to launch the second program of aid to Greece. Of 130 billion euros, the IMF should be involved up to 18 billion, said Christine Lagarde.

Even the Germans say they are reassured about the situation in Greece. "I am confident that the measures taken hard by the Greek government will put the country on the road to recovery," said German Finance Minister, Wolfgang Schäuble, unwilling to speculate on a third plan to help … To parry , the European Central Bank will continue its buybacks of bonds on the secondary market, ensures Coeuré Benedict, a member of the Executive Board of the ECB to Japanese newspaper Nikkei.

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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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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.

In addition to these large volumes, nuclear power is distinguished by its long prices. "In late 1980, Pechiney had wanted to relocate its operations in Canada, where hydroelectric power is a considerable asset.The group ended up staying in France because that EDF was able to make a competitive offer-cons based on the competitive cost of nuclear electricity, "recalls Colette Lewiner, director of international energy and utilities sector at Capgemini payday loan lenders.

Specifically, in its latest "Observatory of European energy markets," Capgemini shows that the electricity in France remains one of the cheapest in Europe. "But to the industrial, the argument prices is not the only criterion. They also want the visibility, the gold price of nuclear electricity are distinguished by their predictability: they are much less sensitive to changes in the price of electricity produced from fossil fuels such as gas or oil, Jean-Jacques Nieuviaert note, Councillor in charge of the overall economy and markets to the French Union of Electricity (UFE).

The new government should be made official today, before the meeting of Ministers of the euro area to be held from 16 hours in Brussels to discuss the strengthening of the European support fund (EFSF).

In France, Prime Minister Francois Fillon on Monday will unveil a second multi-year austerity plan. New measures could include an accelerated implementation of pension reform.

Oil markets, a barrel of "light sweet crude" rose 24 cents to 94.50 dollars in early electronic trading. The price of Brent North Sea on the other hand wins $ 1.31 to 113.28 dollars. The euro remains fragile: the euro is worth 1.3757 dollars against 1.3788 dollars on Friday night.