Archivio per la categoria 'opinions'

Obama promises an agreement on debt

Barack Obama sought Monday to change the tone of the negotiations on reducing the budget deficit. "I am ready to face criticism from Democrats for an agreement that allows to raise the debt ceiling," said Monday the president of the United States, before resuming discussions with congressional leaders have fallen into the impasse. "We will reach agreement before August 2," promised the president at a press conference.

Placing himself as an arbiter between the two factions partisan, Barack Obama said: "The Republicans are going to have to compromise, as the Democrats." He hoped that the negotiations continue "all day", "until a solution is found."

Their challenge is twofold. The first is to adopt a compromise that reduces the medium to long-term U.S. budget deficits.But the compromise also depends on the adoption by August 2 of a law that raises the ceiling for the debt of the United States. Otherwise, the U.S. Treasury would no longer issue the bonds needed to honor the debts of Uncle Sam was general such a defect of the United States would have catastrophic consequences for the entire global economy.

Avoiding tax increases

During the weekend negotiations have stalled or even declined. Democrats accuse Republicans of blocking any agreement by refusing the principle of tax increases. For their part, Republicans reject the approach proposed by Barack Obama on an ambitious four trillion dollars in savings over ten years.They are rather a compromise of around 2 trillion, thinking to keep their campaign promise to block any tax increase.

To complicate matters, the elected Democrats have their doubts about the path traced by the White House. Barack Obama asks them, in fact, painful concessions in the form of savings in programs popular pension and health care. Yet the Democrats do not want to pay the price in the November 2012 legislative concessions that make a great historical compromise personal serving the cause of Barack Obama but not his party.In addition, the recent rise in unemployment leads them to reconsider their promise to reduce government spending made a few weeks ago as part of negotiations led by the then vice president, Joe Biden.

ALSO READ:

"Obama tackles the budget deficit

"Obama wants to reduce the deficit of 1100 billion

"Debt crisis: Obama negotiating with elected officials

Defense: Sarkozy urged French companies to ally

Offensive. Nicolas Sarkozy did not mince words Monday in his opening address to the Air Show, which opened at Le Bourget. The Head of State urged the French industry to "meet the challenge of globalization" and to cooperate more. "We will encourage groups that strengthen our industrial champions," he said.

"The Franco-French squabbles must end in a good mood and on a voluntary basis, and if it was not the case, it would be always in good spirits but on the basis of instructions. The competition is too fierce, the stakes are too urgent. We must decide and decide now to make choices, "he said. The State may operate the levers being both client and principal shareholder of almost all defense companies: Saffron (30.2%), Thales (27%) and EADS (15%).The government press Safran and Thales to reach agreement on an asset swap. The first showing of the second avionics which, in turn, would become No. 2 worldwide in optronics. Similarly, for drones (pilotless aircraft), the State promotes cooperation. "France needs of global players. It is indisputable for Airbus civil aircraft, Eurocopter helicopters, engines, Safran and Thales in radar, but in defense of Europe pays core rivalry between the Rafale and the Eurofighter. Do not repeat this in the unmanned aircraft. Avoid the Europeans are divided, "said Gerard Longuet on his side. Decided to implement the Franco-British signed in late 2010, the defense minister is expected to announce shortly the creation of a Franco-British combination of branches in Armaments (DGA) on both sides of the Channel.

Two projects of drones

In this context, "Dassault Aviation and EADS have to talk a little more," said Gerard Longuet. Two projects are vying to give the kickoff to the creation of a European industry for so-called drones Male (medium altitude long endurance) by the year 2016-2018: the Telemos, which is the result of an agreement exclusive cooperation between BAE Systems prime contractor for the project, and French Dassault Aviation, systems manager, and the Talarion EADS.

ALSO READ:

"Le Bourget, user manual

"The battle began in order Bourget

The CAC 40 sealed by the banking sector

The mood remains gloomy in the Paris Stock Exchange on Thursday. In the wake of a meeting which saw the CAC 40abandonner 1.49%, morale remains low. At midterm, the Paris index lost another 1.32% to 3756.41 points. With this new decline, the CAC 40 is now in a loss of 1.27% since the beginning of the year.

The LSE has also opened lower, the FTSE-100 index lost 0.86% at 7053.75 points. The Dax in Frankfurt following the movement with a decline of 1.74% to 5673 points.

This bad mood, which led to Wall Street and Asian markets this morning in the dark wheel is mainly due to Greece. Indeed, the financial and political situation of the country bogged down. The extraordinary meeting of finance ministers ended in failure Thursday, Europeans who are unable to agree on the role of private creditors in the new relief measures.Meanwhile, violent demonstrations took place before the parliament of the country, forcing the Prime Minister George Papandreou has announced a reshuffle of his government to be held this Thursday, when he called for a vote of confidence in parliament.

Concern has also been strengthened by the publication in the U.S., macroeconomic statistics disappointing. The U.S. recovery has yet shown signs of weakness yesterday, especially in the industry.

Program loaded overseas

This Thursday, in addition to Greece, the eyes are again turned to the United States.The schedule of publications of indicators is still in effect with the American program: the current account of the first quarter, weekly jobless claims, housing starts for new homes and the index of manufacturing activity in the Philadelphia area.

In the euro area, consumer prices rose 2.7% yoy, from 2.8% in April, according to Eurostat's second estimate similar to the first made in late May.

On the currency side, the Greek situation causes the euro down. 11:15 to Paris, the single European currency was worth 1.4118 dollars against 1.4182 dollars late Wednesday, after falling to 1.4090 dollars in the morning, the lowest since three weeks. Meanwhile, oil prices rebounded due to bargain hunting.A barrel of light sweet crude for July delivery gained 48 cents to 95.29 dollars while that of Brent North Sea crude for delivery same progressed from 99 cents to 114 dollars. Investors buy oil after the sharp decline yesterday, which saw prices go below $ 95 a barrel. "We have a return to an area of ​​support that goes back to January 2011. This is especially a key level to advance to the purchase, "said Djillali Hacid, technical analyst at XTB.

Values ​​to follow

Banking

French banking stocks were again attacked on Thursday. They are among the largest declines the CAC 40. Societe Generale lost 3.28% to 37.50 euros, Crédit Agricole loose 2.77% to 9.63 euros, BNP Paribas was down 2.20% to 50.17 euros. Axa and Natixis follow the trend with decreases of 3.60% to 14.60 euros and 1.37% to 3.45 euros.Dexia unscrews for its share of 4.56% to 2.15 euros.

Areva: -2.80% to 25.31 euros Eramet: -1.83% to 217.50 euros

Luke Oursel, deputy CEO of Areva, is the favorite to replace Anne Lauvergeon head of French nuclear specialist, reports the newspaper La Tribune.In addition, the group has extended for six months its shareholders in companies with Eramet Sorame and CEIR representing the shareholders of the family Duvan.

Bull: -1.47% to 4.68 euros

The French computer group announced Thursday a plan to recruit a thousand employees for 2011, including 400 in France, mostly young graduates.

Sanofi: -0.92% to 51.43 euros

The group announced Thursday the signing of a research collaboration of two years with the Dutch biotechnology company Audion Therapeutics for development of potential treatments for hearing loss.

EADS: + 0.65% to 21.53 euros

The low cost carrier Philippine Cebu Air said Thursday it had concluded a $ 3.8 billion with Airbus for an order for 30 A321s and seven A320s.

Renault: -1.16% to 36.27 euros

The Renault-Nissan is about to take control of Russian automaker AvtoVAZ, an acquisition that would propel the world's third largest, said Thursday the Japanese newspaper Nikkei.

L'Oreal: -1.18% to 84.39 euros

The businessman Stephane Courbit explained in a letter to Liliane Bettencourt why he wants to break the financial partnership that had just concluded the boss Lov group and the heir to L'Oreal.

Total: -0.58% to 37.52 euros

The tanker has completed its friendly takeover bid of about $ 1.3 billion U.S. dollars on SunPower, a majority of shareholders of the company specialized in solar panels have agreed to tender their shares.

Eurosic: + 0.56% to 33.99 euros

Batipart, family holding company specializing in real estate, will launch a takeover bid for Eurosic in the coming weeks after the sale and Nexity Bank Palatine of all of their shares in the specialist real estate office.

Vivendi: -0.22% to 18.13 euros

Between September and the summer of 2012, SFR will resume rays telephone 80 Fnac stores in France.

France Telecom: -0.49% to 14.21 euros

The operator announced Wednesday it had issued 670 million euros maturing 2019 and 2021.

Perno Ricard: -0.42% to 66.46 euros

The group announced Wednesday that its board had decided to pay an interim dividend of 67 cents per share.

After market, Zodiac Aerospace Announce Revenues for the third quarter.

"QUIZ Estimate the Cac 40 in late June

Company profits in 2011 divided by five

The year 2011 should be black for the airlines. In any case, predicted that the International Air Transport Association (IATA) on Monday. At the annual meeting of the association in Singapore, it has halved its earnings estimates for companies this year. "Natural disasters in Japan, unrest in the Middle East and Africa, plus the sharp rise in oil prices, slashed profit forecasts for the sector, to 4 billion U.S. dollars," and said IATA Director General Giovanni Bisignani.

This estimate of 4 billion is a drop of 78% compared to profits of $ 18 billion achieved in 2010, year of strong recovery for the airline after the economic crisis.Margins would amount to only 0.7% and a forecast turnover of 598 billion dollars.

A barrel is too expensive

In early March, IATA still evaluating the benefits to 8.6 billion. But it was just before the earthquake, followed by a tsunami and the nuclear disaster Fukushima, Japan. This drama series was first led to a suppression of flights to Japan and then a slow recovery for many companies. But the Japanese air transport market, valued at 44.4 billion euros, representing 6.5% of world traffic and 10% of turnover in the sector. Furthermore, Japan provides 3-4% of world production of kerosene, which is exported to Asia. "Part of that refining capacity has been lost due to damage caused by the earthquake," says the association.

Rising oil prices is just one of the main concerns of IATA.The Japanese crisis was grafted to increased tensions in the Arab world instant personal loans guaranteed. Libyan oil production, usually by 1.6 million barrels per day, is almost stopped due to fighting. And despite the increase in output of major oil-exporting countries, the markets fear a shortage. In April, a barrel of Brent North Sea thus came to London to 124.45 dollars, the highest since Aug. 4, 2008, while in New York, a barrel of light sweet crude " (WTI) rose to 111.68 dollars, the highest since September 2008.

Falling prices in May has also been only temporary because prices, reinforced by a weak dollar, have already gone back up.At the beginning of June, a barrel of light sweet crude "evolves around $ 100 while that of Brent North Sea worth $ 115.

Suspicious, IATA has reassessed its estimate of 15% for the average price of a barrel of Brent crude for the whole year, to $ 110 against 96 previously. The fuel bill for all airlines and will rise by 10 billion to 176 billion. "Fuel now represents almost 30% of the cost of air transport, more than double the 13% from 2001, according to the association. "The efficiency gains achieved during the past decade and improving economic conditions help offset the high cost of oil, but with limited margins to 0.7%, this leaves little protection against possible shocks, she says.

ALSO READ:

"The air traffic growth slows

"Japan and the Arab revolt: the affected air

"SPECIAL – Japan devastated

"SPECIAL – Arab Revolts

Cucumber crisis: three million of losses in France

The damage is done. Although the cucumber is more pronounced as carrier of the bacterium E. Slayer coli (EHEC), the bill is very heavy for the French vegetable growers. Consumers stay still images as well as tomato salad and a time alleged by Germany.

"Nothing in a week, we estimate our losses to 3 million euros," said Friday afternoon at Figaro Angelique Delahaye, president of Vegetables in France. She just finished consolidating losses estimated at national level by some 3,000 growers of cucumbers and tomatoes. "We're going to report these figures in the service of the Ministry of Agriculture in the context of the experts meeting in Brussels next Tuesday," she says.

Half of the losses on the production of cucumbers and half the tomatoes."We lost earlier this week a program to supply 500 600 tons of tomatoes to 1.10 euro per kilo from the German central purchasing or 550,000 to 660,000 euros less," says Pierre Diot, president of the AOP (Association producer organization) cucumbers and tomatoes, producer Mordelles, west of Rennes.

Brittany produces half of the tomatoes of the Hexagon, 30% from the Deep South and the rest of the Nantes region. "After a week of total absence of trade in vegetables, we are angry because we have no alternative but to destroy our production," said Louis Vinet representing growers Nantes, tripling affected no fax cash advance.

Salads down 20%

However, it is too early to assess damage on sales of salad, vegetable of which the French are especially fond of this heat – they consume nearly 7 pounds per year -."The production is spread among a multitude of gardening and it is more difficult to gather the numbers," says Angelique Delahaye.

The only certainty in Rungis, Ile de France, the second producing region of the Hexagon salads, "salads sold volumes dropped 20% in a dynamic market, however, except of course the cucumbers fall of 80%," says Michel Lemelin, president of the union of wholesale fruit and vegetable market of Rungis.

In this difficult context, French producers can always relativize their misfortune by saying that the situation is worse elsewhere. Particularly in the Iberian Peninsula. The Spanish Federation of Producers exporting fruits and vegetables (FEPEX) estimated losses on Tuesday "to about 200 million euros per week" for the entire sector, citing a "domino effect" affecting other Spanish products."All fruits and vegetables were impacted by Spain. Fortunately in France strawberries, zucchini, eggplant and continue to sell, "relativize Angelique Delahaye.

To break this cycle, the European Ministers of Agriculture are scheduled to meet around 17 June in Luxembourg for a special meeting on the subject.

"The majority of notary fees goes to the State"

All real estate transactions involve the payment of notary fees. The note, which is completing the acquisition process where the buyer is usually borrow more or less important to his bank, still seems a bit expensive … especially if one confuses notary fees, and fees. Fees, expenses, registration fees … Mazodier Carolina, a journalist with the monthly individual, decrypts the invoice.

The player has to use default in the articles of figaro.fr. maj1

The majority of the French for the bonus to employees

Examined on Wednesday by the Council of Ministers, the premium for employees contemplated by the government is determined by a majority of French. According to the barometer ViaVoice – BPCE projects realized for the French Les Echos and France Info in May of 1008 with people, 62% of French people consider it a "good solution" to increase the power purchase. Satisfaction that does not overflowing with enthusiasm as 49% think it is a "fair solution", against 13% who speak of a "good solution".

All professional groups say they are mostly favorable to the premium, with the exception of the category of artisans, merchants and entrepreneurs. But the relatively small number of respondents this result into perspective. Mandatory for companies with more than 50 employees whose benefits increase, the premium could affect 4 million employees.Labour Minister, Xavier Bertrand, confirmed Wednesday morning that she would be paid this year.

But the prospect of the premium is not sufficient to reduce the pessimism of the French on the evolution of their purchasing power. One in two (50%) still think it will diminish over the next three months, a figure unchanged from the month of April, but slightly lower than in March (54%). Some respondents, however, gradually come to swell the ranks of the optimists: 17% of respondents now believe that their purchasing power will increase, as against 15% in April and 13% in March payday loans. The pollster said that perceptions remain very sensitive to gasoline prices, declining for several weeks.

Gasoline is also one of the expenditure items of most concern to the French, cited by 48% of respondents, just behind the power (50%).It is followed by electricity (32%) and gas (23%).

The car-buying intentions up

The perception of the economic climate has improved a little, but remains fragile. Purchase intent for food and clothing are stabilizing: those who plan to spend less money now represent only 30% of respondents, against 37% in April. However, they are not added to the optimists who plan to spend more money in coming months (11%), but with careful who intend to spend as much. These represent 57% in May, against 49% in April.

The intentions of buying car also significantly increased from 4% to 5% in March, April and finally 9% in May The savings intentions are also increasing: 41% intend to put as much money aside in recent months, against 31% in March and April, and 10% to save more, against 9% previously.

ALSO READ:

"Premium paid this year (Bertrand)

"This will change the premium for employees

"Prime: Laurence Parisot is a gesture of CAC 40

»Prime employees: Lagarde forced against any amount

Succession at the IMF: Nominations opened on Monday

Member states of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), announced that the race to succeed Dominique Strauss-Kahn to head IMF will open on Monday. The board of directors composed of representatives from 24 countries and country groups, will collect applications until June 10 nominations. He has set a "target" to designate a replacement directeurdémissionnaire and prosecuted for sexual crimes in New York "by 30 June."

The board has promised that that choice would be "an open, merit-based and transparent." In a statement, the U.S. Treasury secrétaie, Timothy Geithner had these words, calling hopes for the selection process "open and fast."The procedure that has consistently taken a European to head the institution in Washington, however, remained unchanged.

The "consensus" is not unanimously

If there are three or less, they will be revealed at the closing depots, June 10 If there are more than three names will be kept confidential to determine time preference "by consensus", except by a vote, a shortlist of three candidates in the best position. The Board may also select the chief executive by majority vote.

On Thursday, India's representative on the board Arvind Virmani had told AFP he wanted a vote, more "democratic" consensus that is "not transparent".It has not been heard.

The daily procedures of the Board of the IMF mix a little of both: the 24 members vote formally well, but in practice they do not submit voting decisions over which they have previously agreed. Daniel Bradlow, professor of law at Washington specializing in international institutions and the IMF, the transatlantic axis remains dominant in every way. "Voting does not necessarily mean democracy. Even imagining a secret ballot, administrators do not necessarily want to go against a European given as a favorite, nor among those who do not announce publicly that they voted for the new CEO, says he AFP.

The emerging shared

The European continent has clearly shown its desire to present a candidate, Christine Lagarde the French who appear to be the favorite.Last votes to rule in his favor, his German counterpart, Finance, Wolfgang Schäuble, who has judged Saturday "as a perfectly appropriate person for this position."

Countries emerging BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa), which could provide a solid weight-cons to a European candidate, showed no unity.

The Brazilian Finance Minister Guido Mantega is not completely hostile to the idea of ​​a European, although he preferred a priori elsewhere. Moscow already has its candidate, Grigory Marchenko Kazakh. South Africa and India could push the front of the stage they are ready candidates, respectively Trevor Manuel and Montek Singh Ahluwalia. And Beijing is considering to submit one, that has not been clearly chosen.

Another emerging importance, Mexico, now officially campaigning for the governor of its central bank, Agustin Carstens.The Turk Kemal Dervis, who was considered a good compromise between the European and emerging markets, had withdrawn from the race.

The United States, without whose support it is not possible to win, wanted "a candidate with strong experience and leadership qualities required, and able to obtain broad support." Very popular in Washington, Christine Lagarde fits this description.

The description of the ideal candidate given by the IMF is almost the same as when recruiting Dominique Strauss-Kahn in 2007: "outstanding experience in the design of economic policy at high levels, which helps finance ministers , or "communicating effectively", a quality attributed to the French minister for those who soutiennent.Timothy Geithner, who regularly meet at the G8 or G20, wrote in Time Magazine in May 2009 she was one of these "extraordinary individuals" that the world needed at crucial moments such as those caused by the financial crisis.

(With agencies)

ALSO READ:

Hadopi: A security flaw disrupts the graduated response

Assists Is there a pause of flexible response? The Hadopi decided to "suspend its Interconnection with Trident Media Guard (TMG), the company Nantes mandated by the rights holders to monitor P2P networks for the exchange to" flash "French Internet users currently downloading works monitored.

The decision comes after the computer security specialist Olivier Laurelli, better known on the Internet under the pseudonym bluetouff, revealed this weekend, several security holes on one of TMG servers. In the files have been found many IP addresses of French Internet users, "ID" of Internet-connected computers. However, these data should be secured.

"Precautionary Principle"

"We apply the precautionary principle," says the Hadopi Figaro.fr. "We do not know what is actually happening in servers TMG.But we do not want to risk an intrusion into our system and personal data it contains. "

Presently, TMG sends daily Hadopi records IP addresses of surfers caught in his nets. The High Authority then decides whether to send a warning email to the owner of the Internet line in question and is the first step in the graduated response. With Monday's decision by the highest authority, the transfer of information between TMG and Hadopi is now suspended indefinitely.

Customers can they download with impunity the time of the suspension? The Hadopi like to moderate the joy of some users. "TMG can retain data for some time.If we restore the interconnection sooner, then all records of addresses made since Monday will be considered by us. "

TMG minimizes the impact of the fault

According to a report of the CNIL, "the data collected [by TMG] are cleared during the night following the confirmation of receipt of referrals by Internet Piracy, usually 24 hours after the collection of this information." If data are not passed, it will "also destroyed 24 hours after collection.Therefore, if Hadopi decides to reestablish its connection with TMG Wednesday surfers flashed in the day on Monday not risk anything, since the data has been erased by TMG Tuesday at midnight.

TMG has defended his part in a press release stating that the flaw disclosed by bluetouff "comes from a test server of society" and that "the infrastructure used by GMT as part of its operations were not impacted. "Therefore," no confidential data and personal has been published on the Internet. "

The rights holders should expedite an expert report from TMG very quickly, according to Internet Piracy. "Everything must be put in clear," says one at the headquarters of the supreme authority.

Conflicts on wages in enterprises

Carrefour unions must decide before the end of the week on the new pay proposals of management, after a strike followed very Saturday, April 9. TF, the main organization of the group, announced it would sign. The agreement includes a 2% increase to 220 euros gross premium.

In recent weeks, wage disputes have increased, fueled by the resurgence of inflation. Employees of Toyota and Eiffage ended their movements for several weeks, while those of Ferrero blocked the production of Nutella in Normandy. Other stoppages took place in recent weeks among automotive suppliers, with General Motors in Strasbourg, Thales, Equant, Camaïeu in the North, or even the U.S. giant Procter & Gamble.

The period of mandatory annual wage negotiations may be over, disputes are continuing."This follows a wave of wage moderation: the average increases of 3% before the financial crisis fallout between 2 and 2.5% for two years in large companies. Expectations in terms of changes in purchasing power have been disappointed, "said Richard Anthony, the Cabinet Business and Personal. According to Hewitt, the average increases would be limited to 2.6% in 2011, against 3.3 to 3.5% during the last thirty years paydayloan.

The purchasing power in question

The hopes raised by the return to healthy profits for big groups seem to turn into a continuing practice of wage moderation. "Companies lack the visibility and maintain a degree of caution," explains Sophia Kettani, in charge of compensation issues at Towers Watson. Employees feel they miss out of looming crisis.The government wants to regain control of the issue, seeking to link dividend and bonus pay. Conceived as binding, the measure has sparked the ire of employers and the skepticism of some trade unions and could become optional.

"The question of purchasing power arises, but we must look at the payroll as a whole. There are already ways to meet them, as the Law on Supplements Incentive in December 2008. However, if one takes into account increases in remuneration packages are around 3%. Companies generally seem to have taken account of the context, "said Jean-Christophe Sciberras, president of the association ANDRH.

Carrefour at home Camaïeu, if the increases are limited to 2%, the agreements provide more incentives and higher discount rates in the stores for staff, for example.