Jul 5




Brussels off again to war against the invoices received shock after summer vacation by Europeans who used their laptops in a neighboring country with a new legislative proposal expected this week.

The Commission often evokes the German and French tourists who go to Spain, to use their phone to call or download a movie, as they would at home, and are then claiming hundreds or even thousands of dollars by their operator.

Commissioner for telecoms, Neelie Kroes, on the other hand aims to have a genuine single market for telephony in Europe by 2015 with a near zero difference between the price of mobile home and those roaming abroad ("roaming").

Neelie Kroes will present a legislative proposal Wednesday to allow Europeans to buy separate packages for their specific communications abroad, with the operator of their choice without having to change the number. The proposal, which will be submitted to MEPs and EU governments, would take place from the summer of 2014.

Three out of four are rationing their calls abroad

The EU currently imposes maximum prices, called "Eurotariff". Introduced in summer 2007, initially only for voice calls, they were reduced steadily and expanded to other mobile services like SMS.Brussels will propose to extend the Eurotariff, which were removed in 2012 but will remain until end 2016, and continue to drive down.

From a maximum of 35 cents per minute excluding VAT today, roaming voice calls could fall to 32 cents in July 2012, 28 cents in July 2013 and 24 cents in July 2014. For receiving a call, the Euro-tariff increase from 11 cents a minute today to 10 cents in July 2013. And the price of SMS would decrease by 11 cents today to 10 cents in July 2012.

Brussels wants to finally introduce a new price limit on data downloaded when the user surfs the Internet, check e-mails on a BlackBerry or iPhone … Retail prices are still about 50 times higher abroad that domestically, in Brussels.Such prices are "a nightmare for businessmen, tourists, young people," who "do not dare to use their mobile phones, let alone multi-function" when traveling in Europe, denounced Neelie Kroes.

A European survey published in mid-February has proved him right: 72% of European travelers surveyed said limit their roaming calls because of their cost.

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Jun 24




A dozen days after an employee is killed at the site of the nuclear reactor of the third generation EPR under construction at Flamanville, the newspaper L'Humanité reveals that the Nuclear Safety Authority (ASN) denounced a "deliberate process" of non- -reporting of accidents on the site, particularly on the part of Bouygues. In a report dated June 6, Constable nuclear lists 112 accidents occurred in 2010 on the site of the EPR with 38 accidents "to report has not been the subject of a declaration." Thus, about one accident in four has not been under declared.

ASN emphasizes the responsibility of employers, including Bouygues, which controls the civil works on site and Elco Construct. "In many cases (at least 11 examples for the group Bouygues and 8 Elco), these employers were informed of the accident.They also had knowledge of the regulatory requirement to report any accident, "wrote the Authority, adding that this proves" intent to evade the information of the inspector's work and thus to divert the surveillance "of it.

Bouygues denies responsibility

In January, when another worker, 37, died after falling from 13 to 15 meters that the CGT Bouygues accused of being responsible for the accident, and claimed to have provided the Justice documents showing that the giant construction labor law trampled on the site of Flamanville cheapest personal loan rates. A spot investigation for "manslaughter" was opened by the prosecutor of Cherbourg. And last April, ASN insiqué it was beginning an investigation of "under-reporting of accidents at the site of the EPR."

At EDF, prime contractor for the project is ensured then "make every effort" to improve the situation. The site manager was replaced a few months ago. But according to Bouygues, which controls the civil engineering of this project over 3000 workers, non-reporting of accidents "are personal initiatives." Twenty people-safety recall "regular" instructions. According to the unions, a dozen subcontractors are involved in these accidents.

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Jun 18




"To show a spirit of responsibility and sense of compromise." Nicolas Sarkozy has launched Thursday a solemn appeal to Europeans to save Greece. Whereas this morning in Berlin, the French president knows that he will deploy a wealth of imagination and persuasion to move Angela Merkel. While Athens, plunged into a financial and political crisis, is on the verge of bankruptcy, the Chancellor is considering a new excess wait. Faced with a sling in his majority, Merkel angers its European partners by raising the pressure: it insists on any new financial aid package Greek participation of private creditors to let them share the burden of German taxpayers.

Berlin's position, however, has eased somewhat in recent hours.The German government, which faces an end of inadmissibility of the European Central Bank (ECB), now would require a report in September of decision on an extension to Greece, initially expected at the European Council next week . Play for time when it is urgent to try to influence the debate: Berlin had already used this tactic in the first act of the Greek crisis, in May 2010, reluctant to put their hands in the pocket for Athens.

Participation binding

The Europeans have accepted half that request. The Commissioner of Economic Affairs, Olli Rehn, said that measures should ultimately be decided at the Eurogroup of 11 July. In the meantime, to ease the burden a little Athens, Europe could decide to release the funds promised for July."I am confident that next Sunday the finance ministers of the euro area will meet in Luxembourg will decide on the payment of the fifth tranche of loans to Greece," said Olli Rehn. This band represents just under 8 billion that would normally add 3.7 billion paid by the IMF. The fund has remained vague about his intentions, while suggesting a hint that it will participate in this effort absolutely free credit score. "We are ready to continue to support Greece if the Greek authorities take the economic measures promised," said his spokesman, in Washington.

Save time is to enable Europeans to reach a compromise on how to involve private creditors in aid to Greece. Paris insists that nothing be done that goes against the opinion of the ECB, which guarantees the stability of the euro.But in Berlin, the German government does not hide his irritation with respect to the ECB, which usually defends tooth and nail independence. The European monetary institution insists that the private creditors of Greece are known as a "voluntary basis" to grant a stay in a country where the rating agencies expect the bankruptcy. It is far from enough in the eyes of members of the center-right coalition of Merkel, where such participation must be mandatory. To ensure the support of the Bundestag increasingly looking to the funds of Germany, the federal government requests that all creditors are asked to exchange their shares against the Greek bonds at longer maturities.For the ECB, such an exchange would mean forced to recognize that Athens is in default.

Italy's Mario Draghi, who will fall over from Jean-Claude Trichet, head of the ECB, had his baptism of fire on Thursday night in Berlin, during a meeting with the Chancellor in which he was trying to find a solution to the dilemma German. For the Chancellor, it was however only a first round: she will spend three hours today with Nicolas Sarkozy to find a compromise.

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Jun 3




Who would have thought the always cautious Jean-Claude Trichet capable of launching such a stir in Europe? Five months after the end of his term as European Central Bank (ECB), the Governor, who found himself back on Thursday a prestigious award in Germany for the title of his contribution to European unification ", took the opportunity to deliver a will in the form of scathing: "Would it be too bold an economic standpoint, a single market, single currency and a single central bank, to consider a finance minister of the Union?" A proposal which requires no more or less, to revise the European Treaties … This hypothetical finance minister, seen by Jean-Claude Trichet, should ensure that each Member State's compliance with fiscal rules and competitiveness criteria dictated by Europe . And if this is not the case, it would have means of intervention.In short, what elicit strong reactions from Member States, always jealous of their sovereignty. However, the governor insists that wiped the plaster of the single currency, "interdependence means that countries do not have full internal facto authority. They may experience crises caused entirely by the adverse economic policies pursued by others. " Clearly, the worst loss of sovereignty is not accountable to a European authority, but to see its economy to its knees because of the excesses of its neighbors, such as Portugal just made the bitter experience business card.

A veto

The Greek debacle – Jean-Claude Trichet was careful not to comment directly – is at the heart of his argument. How to avoid crises in the euro area? With more monitoring. But also how to manage them when they erupt? Much more proactive."In the current scheme, all decisions remain in the hands of the country concerned", said the central banker, hoping to capitalize on annoyance with the efforts judged inadequate in Athens.

In the future, he advocated a policy in two steps to help struggling countries. "At first, it is justified to offer financial assistance in the context of a strong adjustment program. It is appropriate to give countries the opportunity to redress the balance for themselves and restore stability. "But if that does not work, the Governor argues for a direct influence of Frankfurt and Brussels."One might imagine that the European authorities have a right to veto certain decisions of economic policies." Of the major tax expenditures, for example. In short, if in Aachen, Jean-Claude Trichet cited bulk Erasmus, Victor Hugo and Kant, it was the accent of Martin Luther King that animated: after eight years at the ECB, the Europhile could have concluded " I have a dream "…

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May 26




A video of Figaro easy payday loans.fr

May 14




This Saturday, the employees of the 500 Carrefour Market in France are expected to strike. Rue Maubeuge in Paris this morning, they were a fortnight before their store to answer the call of the CGT and soft petitions and leaflets to customers. They want to be housed in the same boat as their colleagues in Carrefour hypermarkets, according to the association, which, it is a little over a month, have mobilized massively, and with success.

On April 9, in fact, the movement – "historic" by the unions, had allowed the reopening of negotiations with management. The employees were then granted a special bonus of 220 euros gross July 31, the transition from 7 to 10% of discount on purchases (including gasoline) granted to staff and a commitment to renegotiate, the end November and a revaluation of the holiday allowance to go to a 14th month.The draft agreement, which will be endorsed on May 18, also provides for annual wage increases of 2% in March, is correlated with inflation, instead of the expected increase of 1% and 1% in March in October.

Beyond wages, working conditions are up for discussion. The union FGTA-FO deplores the removal of 10,000 jobs over the past five years, and denounced a "new business model based on night work generalized ultra simplified workflow and increased stress for employees.

Fighting the new economic model of the group

The Carrefour group is in the midst of strategic transformation, including its plans for divisions and development of its new hypermarket Planet.Mutations that cause a stir both at the executive level – the CEO France left the group last May 5, two months after the departure of Director – Europe and employees.

At the next general meeting to be held on June 21 next, they oppose the proposed division by the stock exchange's subsidiary Dia hard discount and the 25% of the land Carrefour Property. But their voice is low, employees own about 1% of capital and 1.76% of voting rights. The unions called the Mutual Fund Business (CIPF), which holds 1.33% shares and double voting rights, to say no, and so to endorse the position of the fund Knight Vinke (over 1 % of capital). In total, they would be 4% against the heavyweights Bernard Arnault and Colony Capital, which have 14% stake and 20% of voting rights.According to unions, these operations "purely financial and non-trade" would bring six billion euros to the two main shareholders, Bernard Arnault and Colony Capital.

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May 6




The RSA is still too much to summarize for the assistantship. This is the opinion of the UMP on the social benefit created in late 2008 to replace the RMI. A member of the majority – Peter Lang – early April has filed a bill to require their recipients to perform twenty hours of community service per week. Right about the club's social ex-Secretary of State for Employment Laurent Wauquiez, he is preparing to request a return for five hours per week.

Recognizing this, the Head of State asked Marc-Philippe Daubresse, deputy secretary general of the UMP him "to make proposals to improve and upgrade the RSA, including its component insertion. That's why Martin Hirsch, the "father" of the RIAA, wrote to the former Minister for Active Solidarity letter – that Le Figaro was procured – to inform him of his "reform possibilities."He also said "available" to the convention that the UMP will devote to this subject in June and hopes to "be invited".

The former High Commissioner suggests to integrate RSA's earned income tax, "as expensive, ineffective, inequitable and diluted." One option discarded in 2008 that would "refocus budgetary resources on those who need it most." The president of the Civic Service Agency also proposes to revise the "slope" of the RSA (rate of income related to the resumption of employment that recipients are sure to keep). Set at 62%, he suggested the move to 70% for the RSA is "more incentive to work."This option was not selected in 2008 because of its cost ($ 3 billion, twice the budget approved) and the opposition of the Ministry of Employment.

"False good idea"

To increase the number of beneficiaries of the "RSA activity" (extra income for working poor) has reached in two years that 40% of its target (670,000 households), the former boss of Emmaus proposes to pay The RSA once a year. "A person would not file quarterly for 40 euros per month could ask the same time it made its return all the RSA which it could claim the title of the year, or 500 euros "says Martin Hirsch.

It encourages governments to "re-information campaigns, pointing that it is" rare and unusual "that a new benefit does not give rise to regular campaigns.And calls of "systematically provide a single integration contract" for recipients and above all to punish the double rejection. "This will help determine in what cases are the recipients who refuse a contract and helped when it comes to a lack of offers," he justified.

Martin Hirsch also reconsiders the "false good idea" to request a free exchange. "If we want to take five hours per week of activity to any recipient, then they must pay the minimum wage, or about 100 euros net gain", the only assumption that "do not turn your back to frontally work more to earn more .He blames the failure of the last RSA Young (8000 recipient, cons 16,000 expected) at Bercy, who made "a very inflated forecasts, for pushing the eligibility criteria strictest possible" and calls on the government to relax .

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Apr 5




"This is another step," said Chris Viehbacher, CEO of Sanofi-Aventis Business on BFM on Monday morning. A month and a half after formalized the acquisition of U.S. biotech Genzyme, the pharmaceutical company announced on Monday morning having met 84.6% stake in its target (number of shares), after the close of the offer on April 1.

For late or indecisive, Sanofi-Aventis has announced the reopening for four days after the offer of 74 dollars per share, beginning this Monday, April 4 and April 7, 2011 Termier at midnight, Paris time. With this announcement, Sanofi-Aventis loop thus one of the most difficult acquisitions in its history. More than eight months of stock market battle will have been necessary to convince the board of directors of Genzyme.

End of an eight-month battle Market

More than the interest of the reconciliation, Henri Termeer, Genzyme's CEO questioned the price offered by the French, hoping to raise up the auction. A successful challenge, the champion tricolor pharmacy having finally sold, raising its offer from 69 to 74 dollars per share, together with a certificate of conditional value (TRC).It could reach 14 dollars per share based on sales performance of Cerezyme and Fabrazyme, two major products of Genzyme, which has experienced serious production problems, but especially those of Lemtrada, developed an anticancer drug against multiple sclerosis, and could become a future blockbuster (drug of over one billion euros in annual sales) Same day payday loans.

So it's a big step forward for Sanofi-Aventis, which has just spent over $ 20.1 billion to afford the latest nuggets still independent of biotechnology. And this redemption, the laboratory with one stone two birds, reinforcing both in biotech, where despite efforts in recent years, he remained behind. In addition, Sanofi-Aventis is increasing in rare diseases, where it was virtually absent.

Preserve the culture of Genzyme

"This operation is Sanofi-Aventis the world leader in biotechnology, alongside our leadership position in vaccines, has also said Chris Viehbacher Business on BFM this morning. For if the French had been dethroned in 2010 by GlaxoSmithKline in the sector, it still aims to double its sales of vaccines for the period 2008-2014, to bring them to more than 5.7 billion euros.

In the meantime, the acquisition strategy very offensive Viehbacher crisis should be put in parenthesis, the leader now want to concentrate on the restructuring of research and development. A crucial step in integration, when we know that the corporate culture of biotechnology in particular is one of the key success factors.The rush too hastily would then lose to Sanofi-Aventis which is the productivity of research teams of its target.

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Feb 24




After being snubbed in 2010, the Livret A is it taking its revenge on life insurance, the other place occupied by the French? According to figures released Wednesday by the French association of insurance, the amount of life insurance premiums collected in January 2011 declined 11% over the same month last year to 11.8 billion euros.

For combination, this double-digit decline can be explained at least partly by rising rates of remuneration of the Livret A. Increased to 2% – instead of 1.75% – 1 February, the rate of pay, even if it remains near its record low, making it less attractive to certain life insurance contracts. In 2010, contracts in euros have indeed reported between 3.20% and 3.40%, before taking into account inflation. With inflation at 1.8%, the yield of the Livret A is positive.Most importantly, this product is considered a safe investment, and this contributes to its success in times of crisis.

Life insurance keeps the advantage in terms of net inflows

For now, the net inflows of life insurance, that is to say the sums paid amputees are removed from all contracts, is still higher than the Livret A cheap business cards. It was 4.6 billion euros, representing a 35% drop compared with 2010, but exceeds 3.76 billion collected by the Livret A in January, its highest total for two years.

The daily Les Echos, insurers, however, look to the future with caution. For two years, contributions grew more slowly indeed. They were up 4% last year instead of 13% in 2009. This year, growth is also forecast to below 4%. Another unknown could also weigh on life insurance.The government is currently working on reforming the taxation of wealth, and the system of life insurance could be changed. In 1997, the questioning part of tax and social benefits of life insurance had caused a fall of 17% of the collection.

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Feb 11




Paris Has it been too sure of his strength? There is just one more year, the possibility of relocation was seen as a joke by the City Council. At the point of not meeting the requirements of the French Tennis Federation, eager to expand the site of Roland Garros in order to accommodate the public, partners and media in better conditions, and to demand a fee from astronomical 2016 (the current lease expires in 2015). "There is a Roland Garros. There is no other. It will be more if it leaves Roland Garros Paris. The love story between Roland Garros and tennis is necessarily the Porte d'Auteuil, on the current site (…) I'm really a city tour to the suburbs but frankly what belongs to Paris is Paris.Roland Garros as the Eiffel Tower is part of Paris, has just recently told Jean Vuillermoz, Deputy Mayor of Paris, in charge of sport in a whiff of superiority. Faced with this situation, the TFF has decided to react by putting Paris in competition.

A hotly contested competition
A bluff? Initially judged as such, the call for entries is taken very seriously. Three suburban sites are then selected to host Roland Garros: Versailles, Marne-la-Vallée and Gonesse. The quality of records that are pushing the proposed FFT to seriously consider a move. "Attitudes have indeed changed," admitted the director Roland Garros Gilbert Ysern, whom we asked last November.Under pressure, the Mayor of Paris reacts through Bertrand Delanoe, who tabled a "vow on the development of the Tournament of Roland Garros in Paris" fulfilling all the wishes of the original Federation. Extending the area of 60% (5 hectares), covering the Central, the construction of a new 5,000-seat stadium, a new concession for a period of 99 years and a charge down the figure indexed business.

An eminently strategic
By choosing to stay in Paris, the FFT would be the choice of conservatism. A choice of heart more than reason? So says Hervé Dupont, executive director of the Plaine de France, holder of record of Gonesse."Either the Federation made the strategic choice to remain in Paris for convenience, for fear of change, because it costs him a little cheaper … Either it moves and in this case we believe we have the best project." Leaving the historic site Auteuil would especially at Roland Garros to catch up and even take the lead, on the other Grand Slam tournaments (Wimbledon, U.S. Open and Australian Open) in terms of area (over 30 hectares). Pragmatic, Guy Forget is rather favorable to offshoring.

An opinion that disagrees obviously not John Vuillermoz: "Is that what is important is the space, the number of acres? Does the importance of this tournament is not elsewhere? The goal is to get better. There will be an opening to a new space, a new short 5,000 seats. A lawn will replace the short No. 1, which is not beautiful.This will allow spectators to picnic before a large screen that will broadcast all the matches. This is what will stay at Roland Garros in its box, while remaining accessible to the greatest number. This is not just about square meters. "

Dissension
Unlike Gonesse and Marne-la-Vallee, where the political will to welcome Roland Garros is unanimous, the case of Paris, like that of Versailles, is facing some dissension. "We are a democracy, everyone can express themselves. You say there is no opposition would not be true.Now, democracy is majority and in this context, the Paris council has spoken: 12 councilors voted against and 141 voted for! After the Greens, who voted against the Olympic Games in Paris, which are against the top-level sport in Paris and that the residents of the Porte d'Auteuil want to stay together and not to involve the mass is their problem … But the great mass of the Parisians is favorable. All the polls show, "says Jean Vuillermoz, reminding us that Paris can count on support from the weight, partners and sponsors.

Sponsor support historical
BNP Paribas, whose brand is associated with at Roland Garros for 37 years, is actually very clear about this: "We support the continuation of the tournament in the capital. We believe that much of the prestige is that it is in central Paris.Whatever the qualities of offshoring projects, they would not have the same influence. "Same story from Alain Afflelou:" Roland Garros is a prestigious tournament that counts a lot in terms of public relations device. Currently, it is easy to reach, it will be more complicated than 35 km … "Favorite, File Paris nonetheless threatened. Not sure he collects 66% of votes of the 195 voters of the Federation for its victory on Sunday. He could well find themselves with ballot Versailles (the most dangerous rival?). The two finalists then the tie would be within three months, an absolute majority, at a new General Assembly …

The Paris plan:

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