Pirates threaten Apple

AntiSec movement, for "anti-security", would he struck again? The hackers who target sites of multinational corporations and state agencies are threatening this time the giant apple. In a tweet issued Sunday, the Anonymous group of hackers published a link to a document containing 26 IDs and passwords. According to the pirates, this is the contents of an Apple server to collect online surveys.

"It is not too strong, but still" hackers announce his tweet before providing a link to the document hacked. "# Apple could also be a target. But do not worry, we're busy elsewhere. # AntiSec "More than the document itself, which contains little information, so it's a threat contained in the forward message Anonymous.

The tweet group of hackers claiming AnonymousIRC attack. DR

Bank of America pays for subprime

Nearly three years after the financial crisis, the first sanctions against the banks fall. And the bill is particularly salty for Bank of America. The U.S. bank agrees to pay $ 8.5 billion to end the prosecution of several investors and has also spend an additional provision of $ 5.5 billion to clear the situation with the following semi-public mortgage refinancing as Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae. This would involve the agreement of compensation the largest ever signed by a bank in the United States, according to the Wall Street Journal.

Admittedly, the stakes are also unpublished.The Wall Street as investors Journalrapporte particularly experienced such a number of asset management, BlackRock, the insurer MetLife or the Federal Reserve (Fed) of New York complain about the conditions of sale of so-called "subprime," these products complex financial risk that formed the heart of the Great Depression of 2008. Symbol of a finance gone mad, these "subprime" were associated with variable rate mortgages granted to families with poor credit. Their value plummeted after the collapse of the U.S. housing bubble, which caused a series of foreclosures and debt of thousands of homes.

These individuals will not receive the compensation that Bank of America has agreed to pay. Indeed, they are used only for investors who are customers of Countrywide Financial, now a subsidiary of Bank of America in January 2008.The specialist mortgage lending in the United States had sold to investors of financial products like subprime for an initial value of $ 105 billion accompanied by guarantees on the composition of their portfolios. But soon after, with the bursting of the housing bubble in the U.S., these investments have proved extremely risky, losing most of their value. Investors who bought these financial products from Countrywide Financial believe to have been cheated, since the original contractual terms have not been met.

The case could set a precedent

Bank of America for months trying to resolve this embarrassing litigation, inherited directly from the acquisition of Countrywide Financial.But until now the CEO of Bank of America, serving for a year and a half, has refused to pay for past investments, arguing that investors had acted knowingly. By agreeing now to pay the full price, so it gives a signal again, and strong.

This case may give ideas to other investors who lost big in the collapse of the "subprime". Thus, other banks like Wells Fargo or JPMorgan could also be directly affected by requests for compensation.

The U.S. bank, which also pass for $ 6.4 billion of writedowns in its accounts the second quarter, estimates that its net loss for the three months ending in late June could be up to $ 9.1 billion, according to a statement of the institution.

ALSO READ:

"The largest banks will boost their capital

Fashion Show 1 May: decline in mobilization

Union leaders had expected that the 1 May 2011 be a little raw. It is clear they have struggled to mobilize. In Paris, the procession was attended by 12,000 people Sunday, against 21,000 in 2010, told AFP the police headquarters. Organizers say 30,000 people joined them.

The secretary general of the CFDT Francois Chereque was present at the head of the cortege left shortly before 15 hours instead of the Republic, like that of Luke Berille UNSA and FSU Secretary General Bernadette Groison. The general secretary Bernard Thibault of the CGT, which was also manifest, was ultimately unable to move "because of major back problems," said his entourage told reporters.

Leaders of the Left also participated in the parade: Francois Hollande Olivier Besancenot through Eva Joly, Jean-Luc Melenchon or Marie-George Buffet.The spokesman of the Socialist Party, Benoît Hamon, the number two party, Harlem Desir, or members Bruno Le Roux, Sandrine Mazetier and President of the Ile-de-France, Jean-Paul Huchon were also behind the banner PS.

The leader of the Socialist Party, Martine Aubry, has, meanwhile, marched in Lille. "We do not have to be in the streets to celebrate International Labour Day," said the first secretary of the PS about the sparse parades, saying that employees would demonstrate "in 2012 at the ballot box."

Attendance was up for the parade FN

In the regions, the mobilization was also low.In Marseille, among 2000 people by 5000 according to police and organizers, marched through the streets between 1200 and 3500 people in Toulouse between 2200 and 3300 in Lyon, between 2200 and 3000 in Bordeaux between 1200 and 3000 in Strasbourg between 700 and 1000 in Lille and between 450 and 1000 in Rennes.

It was also shown to Pau (800 to 1200), in Angoulême (500), Besancon (500 to 1000), Brest (250 to 300), Nancy (700 people according to the unions) and as at Dunkirk, in Orléans and Caen.

These figures were more than expected from a trade union unity has disintegrated somewhat. "The character of this holiday is both less said, the day falls on a Sunday," observes Marcel Grignard, number two of the CFDT.In 2009 the protesters were much more likely because of the crisis, and in 2010 the fear of the pension reform, just before its unveiling, had been a factor in turnout.

On the other hand, the parade of Marine Le Pen Paris, focusing on the workers and popular classes, has mobilized more than expected among 3200 people according to police and 20,000 according to the FN (against 2000 and 8000 according to the police according to the FN last year).

"May 1st, we are the popes of the earth"

Besides purchasing power – the secretary general of the CFDT, Francois Chereque, called on Europe 1 radio on Sunday increased the minimum wage beyond the 2% rise tentatively scheduled on July 1 – the themes that defended Unions are talking years' support for the Arab peoples who rise to the dignity and freedom, "and" equal rights "between French and foreign workers in response to" national preference "advocated by the National Front , a rise in the opinion polls.

Winks comedy peppered some processions. "May 1st, we are the popes of the earth", alluding to the beatification of John Paul II. But also slogans in opposition to the FN, as in Rennes' French workers, immigrants, same bosses, same battles. "

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

The Paris Bourse in negative territory

The Paris markets do not take risks on Monday. The CAC 40 thus begins the day on a small drop of 0.19% to 4054.32 points.

In Paris as elsewhere, investors are trying to make a first point on the Japanese situation, one month to the day after the disaster that has ravaged the north-east. Reassuring news fell on the nuclear situation: According to government spokesman Yukio Edano, "the risk that the situation at the nuclear power is deteriorating and it leads to a new major radiation leak was significantly reduced. " In Asia this morning, markets have however not given clear signals.

Side indicator, the day promises to be especially quiet since no statistics are expected.Only INSEE announced before trading up 0.4% of French industrial production in February, after rising 0.7% in January.

The rest of the week will be loaded with particular current accounts in France and the German ZEW index Tuesday, the Fed's Beige Book on Wednesday, the weekly jobless claims in the U.S. on Thursday and the index of U.S. consumer sentiment Friday.

Markets await especially forward to the start of the dance publications of quarterly results in the United States. As usual, Alcoa will begin the festivities this evening.

As for currencies, the euro appears small decline in morning trading at 1.4459 dollar. Same thing for oil, hit by profit taking after sharp gains last week.A barrel of light sweet crude for May delivery yielded 36 cents to 112.43 dollars while that of Brent North Sea crude for May delivery lost 83 cents to 125.82 dollars.

Values ​​to follow

Renault

The board of directors of the group will try Monday to see more clearly in the wrong spying scandal at a special meeting and will try to establish the responsibilities of everyone in this fiasco online cash advance.

Saffron

The Central Directorate of Internal Intelligence (DCRI) investigation on suspicion of spying for Turbomeca, a subsidiary of Safran including computer networks have been "looted" for several months.

NYSE Euronext

The board of directors of the transatlantic exchange operator yesterday rejected unanimously the offer of participation of $ 11.3 billion made by Nasdaq, coupled with Intercontinental Exchange (ICE).

EDF and EDF Energies Nouvelles

The listing of both Kingbird, who was suspended Friday after the announcement of a takeover offer from EDF on the 50% stake in its subsidiary EDF EN it does not already own, resumes today.

EDF also requested that the EPR reactor being built at Flamanville is considered "priority" as part of the audit of nuclear safety in France, said the Nuclear Safety Authority.

United States, the commission (NRC) has denied Unistar, owned by EDF, a license to build a new reactor at Calvert Cliffs Nuclear Power Plant.

Carrefour

The walkouts on Saturday in favor of wage increases were a success according to the unions, who speak highly mobilized. The strike rate ranged from 30 to 85%.Negotiations will resume Wednesday.

Sanofi-Aventis

The group said Friday night that completed the acquisition of Genzyme after the reopening of its bid and said the U.S. biotech is now a subsidiary that holds all.

Total and GDF Suez

The French government has decided to ban the exploitation of shale gas and the repeal of licenses already granted.

Areva

The group bought for 1.62 billion euros from Siemens in the joint venture Areva NP, paving the way for a merger between Siemens and the Russian Rosatom, said on Sunday the German newspaper Die Welt.

First rate increase in three years in the euro zone

The interest rate the European Central Bank, which determines the cost of money in the entire euro zone, banks in particular, was raised by 0.25 point to 1.25%. It is the first rise in the cost of money for 3 years. This decision was announced between the lines several weeks ago in previous speeches the President of the European Central Bank (ECB), Jean-Claude Trichet.

ECB reacts to the acceleration of inflation, which reached 2.6% in March, surprising analysts on the rise. Developments due mainly to "increased energy prices," said Jean-Claude Trichet at a press conference Thursday afternoon.

In this context, he reiterated his warning against "second-round effects", that is to say that higher wages would fuel higher prices."We are particularly attentive to this issue," he warned. The social partners should not take for reference the current inflation, but the target of 2% set by the ECB during the negotiations on wages, pleaded Jean-Claude Trichet.

The first in a long series?

The press conference of the ECB was scrutinized by analysts awaiting signs of future rate increases. Most of them estimated that up this Thursday is the first in a series that will take place during 2011. "The ECB has decided that this increase was the first in a series," Jean-Claude Trichet timed.

At the same time, it did not indicate in his opening statement that rates were at an appropriate level, implying that future adjustments.At Societe Generale, analysts expect an increase of 25 basis points (0.25%) every quarter to an interest rate of 2% in late 2011.

Route risky "

That prospect worries some observers, however. The ECB is "a risky road to recovery," said James Nixon, an economist at Societe Generale CIB. While growth in the euro zone is distributed. But it remains very uneven across countries. Germany experienced a strong recovery while the peripheral countries, subjected to rigorous programs are still in recession.

"Rising interest rates will add considerably to the cost of debt of the peripheral countries, fears James Nixon.And it remains to prove that increasing rates in a context of soaring oil prices, already able to cut consumption, does not cause back in recession and no recovery of the banking crisis in Europe. "

With a rate of 1.25%, "the EC's monetary policy remains very accommodative, has defended Jean-Claude Trichet. Our decision is to anchor inflation expectations of economic actors to a level commensurate with the objective of the ECB's 2%. "

The euro continued its rise against the dollar, the yen down

After some hesitation, the euro was again driven up, dollar at 1.4220 on Monday early evening, against $ 1.41 on Friday evening, after concerted action by the G7 to ease the course the Japanese currency. The yen remained, he, always a downward trend, losing 0.7% against the dollar after dropping 2% Friday and 0.6% against the European currency.

Parallel to the stock market recovery, the rebound of the euro reveals a new investor appetite for risky assets, while the Japanese nuclear disaster appears to be cooling."But beware: this movement may be tempered by the evolution of the military situation in Libya," warns Michael Hewson, CMC Markets, the interest of financial markets having moved on for a week -end of the central suburbs of Tripoli in Fukushima …

"Confidence in the euro area is gradually returning," said Kathy Lien, currency trader for GFT Forex in New York, quoted by Bloomberg. "Despite the threats to certain liabilities of the euro area, foreign investors can not ignore this region of the globe."

Monetary stance

The orientation of European monetary policy more sensitive to inflation threat than it is in the United States or in Britain, uses the euro for three weeks low fee payday loans.The European Central Bank said in early March, she was ready to go back next month its key interest rate to avoid "second-round effects" of inflation, that is to say a contagion Imported oil prices to other prices and wages. Having feared a major impact of the disaster on Japan the euro area, and abandoned its proposal, the European Central Bank would be generally prepared to raise its interest rates at its next meeting. On Monday, the announcement by the U.S. Treasury at the beginning of the resale of mortgages – 10 billion dollars a month – has to bend the euro against the dollar.

But the European currency has resumed soon, because despite the resale of assets, the Fed seems determined to maintain a highly accommodative monetary policy during the coming months to support the recovery very slow labor market.Despite an inflation target well above the Bank of England is also very divided on whether to tighten its monetary policy. As for the Bank of Japan, it stands ready to inject as much liquidity as necessary to avoid the financial collapse of the Archipelago.

The CAC 40 starts timidly his week

The Paris Bourse is again very cautious in the beginning of this week, having already collapsed to 1, 23% last week, uncertainties about the global oil production has not improved over the weekend. At the opening, the benchmark index in Paris fell back to 0.55% from below 4,000 points.

Oil prices remain in effect under pressure Monday as Libya appears to sink into civil war. However, the country's fourth largest oil exporter in Africa after Nigeria, Algeria and Angola. The bulk of its exports destined for Europe. In morning trading, a barrel of light sweet crude gained $ 1.33 to 106.02 dollars.That of Brent North Sea was up 59 cents to 117.13 dollars.

Apart from the Asian markets, reassured by a drop in the yen against the greenback and the euro, the stock performance has been more mixed than the end of last week. The key index had dropped 1% in Paris on Friday night, amid bad news in the Arab countries and fear of rising interest rates after the words of Jean-Claude Trichet. Despite the employment figures in the United States better than expected and an early meeting in the largely green, Wall Street has finished its part of his week down 0.74% at 12,168.10 points, overtaken by the new surge in oil prices.

Beyond the uncertainties on oil, European financial markets are also new costs to fears about sovereign debt of the states of southern Europe, while the rating agency Moody's announced that it lowered three notches note of Greece (from Ba1 to B1), with a negative outlook. On other European markets, the Dax in Frankfurt Stock Exchange opened down 0.57% on Monday to 7,137.81 points and the FTSE in London back in turn of 0.26% to 5974.78 points.

On the foreign exchange market, the euro was stable against the dollar this morning, is now touefois just below the $ 1.40 threshold that had briefly passed Friday for the first time in nearly four months. Despite profit taking in morning trading, the European monnaire dollar traded at 1.3979 on Monday around 8:00, the same level as Friday night cash advance no fax.

On the front macroeconomics, few major indicators are expected to attend the first meeting weekly. United States, only the distribution of consumer loans, expected to 20:00 Paris time should attract the attention of operators.

Stay tuned especially today on the Paris exchange, the values of the aviation sector, while the Union of French airports (UAF) held this morning at 11:00 a press conference to present the results of activity of the French airports in 2010 and the outlook for the current year.

Nexans suspected of price fixing

LVMH

The world number one luxury takes 51% stake in Italian jeweler.LVMH could then launch a friendly takeover of the outstanding capital of Bulgaria.

EADS

Chairman of EADS North America, Ralph Crosby, announced that the group of European aerospace and defense would not challenge the award to Boeing's tanker contract from the U.S. Air Force.

Nexans

Cable manufacturers Nexans, Prysmian, ABB and many others of their counterparts will probably accused this month by the European Commission of unlawful agreement on prices, said Friday two sources familiar with the matter.

Accor – Fimalac

The hotel group announced the closing of the sale of its Fimalac 49% stake in Groupe Lucien Barriere, the leading French operator of casinos and luxury hotels such as Fouquet's on Champs-Elysees or Normandy, at Deauville.

Saffron

Safran said he would propose at a general meeting to abandon the current dual structure of society and return to a structure with board of directors.

Sanofi-Aventis

The laboratory has extended the offer for all the outstanding shares of Genzyme, for 74 dollars each, according to a statement released Monday. This offer ends on April 1 at 23:59 AM New York when she was previously scheduled to expire on March 16 at 17:00.

After market, Altarea Cogedim present its annual results.

The toymaker Jemini goes public

This is one of the last players on the French toy market. Jemini – which manufactures and distributes soft toys, small furniture and accessories for children to color Spiderman, Dora the Explorer, Winnie the Pooh and Barbapapa – goes into high gear. A year after merging with another business sector, Spel, it will go public next February 24 (Thursday). The group, which displays several years growing at double digits, yesterday announced Monday it has raised € 6.8 million private placement as part of its forthcoming entry on the Alternext market, where it will initially be valued more 38 million euros.

The aim of the group that conducted last year 40% of its turnover (about 37 million euro) for exports, is to accelerate external growth, particularly internationally.Sylver Amouyal, president of Jemini, acknowledged having "several cases in the pipeline, the European companies from 5 to 10,000,000 euros in turnover. Great Britain, where the contract of the license is 1.5 times higher than in France, is among his targets.

Jemini is unknown if the general public, its products are essential in supermarkets and specialists in the toy. Including at Conforama where Jemini is distributed over a year. Since its inception in 1986, the group has focused on the manufacture of soft toys, tableware, watches and furniture licensed around thirty characters.This market, driven by the small and big screen, now represents one quarter of toy sales in France.

Rattles pharmacy

"Jemini was one of the first to get Hello Kitty at the right time, with a true reflection on the offer to create," says Natalie Chouraqui, who co-directs Kazachok specialist license. Meanwhile, with more than 30 million euros in turnover, the small Japanese Sanrio cat became the first license in the toy. Anxious to mix new and "good value" Jemini just signed with the beneficiaries of the Smurfs will be back on center stage next year in a feature film. Jemini also sign lint Maya the Bee come back rejuvenated in 2012.

Known for the design and quality of its products, Jemini designs its prototypes in his studio in the Sarthe and has them made in China.The group now wants to convince its know-how to another distribution channel, the pharmacists, long wary of toy manufacturers. Rattles, dinner and door-nipples have been successfully tested in hundreds of outlets. The cub Lulu Castagnette be among the group of new licenses. Jemini expects its range of childcare up to 12 million turnover within three years.

The ambassadors take early retirement at age 58

Only a handful of very senior diplomats is concerned. But the symbol cringe, while the government has hammered in 2010 he had to work late to save the pensions and deferred the legal age. The Foreign Ministry is finalizing a system accessible to early retirement from 58 years to its executives.

The draft order, as Le Figaro has obtained, will be discussed Feb. 28 at the High Council of State Civil Service, the final step before publication. It will allow "plenipotentiaries" and "Foreign Affairs Adviser hors classe" (a few hundreds of diplomats for the functions of ambassador, consul or important director at the Quai d'Orsay) to receive an "end device activity "for six months to three years.Volunteers will receive a "special allowance of departure" and keep "equal pay in the amount of treatment indicial (…) plus the allowance of residence in Paris." Clearly, any salary excluding bonuses. The sum will be partially combined with income from employment in the private but also in a public company or an administration.

Conversion

The device opens up to 30 diplomats, who have until the end of 2013 to be candidates. This, the ministry said in a report annexed to "deal with overstaffing (…) related to a particular pyramid unfavorable." The same purpose had led to the same device, open to 20 diplomats in 2008-2009.

In a preparatory meeting to the Board, "the department's representative explained the need to respond if a hundred diplomats, said one trade unionist low fee payday loans.About 60 are on mission to the Quai d'Orsay, without that we know very well the nature of their mission, others awaiting assignment. In other words, paid to do nothing – often against their will. "The ambassadors are appointed by the Council of Ministers, these are very political positions, decrypts a connoisseur of the administration. Much of these diplomats are "underutilized" in Paris as labeled on the left. "

Today Minister of European Affairs, Laurent Wauquiez ensures not forgotten about his recurring on the necessary "cultural revolution" in employment of older workers, when he was Secretary of State for Employment. "The goal is that 100% of beneficiaries are switching, certainly not that they cease any activity," he assures.In the past, some have become consultants, gallery owners … "It also justifies the device by" reducing the number of posts of ambassadors, parallel to the "opening – necessary – these posts to non-diplomats." Recent examples: Serge Lepeltier, former environment minister, last week appointed ambassador "climate" in lieu of Brice Lalonde, and Jean-Christophe Rufin, a doctor, writer, ambassador to Senegal from 2007 to 2010.

Protesters furious after Mubarak's speech

Tahrir Square, Cairo, online:

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the Economy

10:55 p.m.: People are beginning to organize to camp on Tahrir Square. A great new day of action is planned for tomorrow.

10:51 p.m.: The vice president urged protesters not to listen to "satellite TV" and listen to "their heart."

10:40 p.m.: The vice president spoke in turn to state television and defending the president in ensuring that it has placed the country's interests above his own. He called on demonstrators to go home and all the Egyptians to work together.

10:36 p.m.: Obama met with his national security team after Mubarak's speech.The CIA had indeed thought that the Egyptian president would announce his resignation, a scenario that was favored by the United States.

10:27 p.m.: The Egyptian state television just announced that Vice-President Suleiman will in turn address the nation.

10:21 p.m.: A man lying on the floor of Tahrir Square. The protesters formed a cordon around him to prevent it happen trampled.

10:13 p.m.: Mubarak said in his speech that he wanted to be "buried in Egypt" and he would not leave his country under any pretext.

10:10 p.m.: The Egyptian demonstrators brandish their shoes, a powerful symbol of defiance and anger in the Arab world.

Mubarak wants to ensure the transition until presidential elections. Photo credits: TV via APTN EGYPT / AP