The asparagus season, marketed fresh in between March and June, is in full swing right now. And nice surprise for consumers, prices are down sharply. At Rungis, for example, a kilo of white asparagus was worth Wednesday between 4.80 and 6.90 euros per kilo following categories. A decrease of about 70 cents on the wholesale market which is largely passed on to consumers. "Asparagus, which fell 3 euros, are selling like hotcakes, welcomes a saleswoman Hyper U at Mayenne. Customers expect it and the radius was robbed. "

The French are lovers of this ultra-fresh vegetables, many nutritional values. They consume an average of 400 grams per person per year. Overall, local shops (markets, greengrocers and convenience stores) represents more than half of the distribution channel of asparagus. Another third of the volume is up in supermarkets. The remainder is sold through direct sales, which has grown significantly.

Land formerly of Excellence asparagus in Europe, France has seen its market share erode over the years. "Germany has become the European leader since 2003, says Angelique Delahaye, president of Vegetables in France. Its production has doubled in ten years with over 90,000 tons. "And to the detriment of France, who is now the fourth largest in Europe, 18,200 tons, after Italy (44,000 tonnes) and Spain (50,400 tons). In ten years, France has seen its acreage decline of 43%, to 5,525 hectares, according to the parliamentary report coordinated by the Deputy Mayor of Agen Jean Dionis du Sejour. At the same time, the surfaces increased 64% across the Rhine, to 21,815 hectares.

Picking Sunday

This new hegemony of Germany in the production of asparagus owes nothing to chance. First, the Germans love it and there is an ancient food culture where the asparagus accommodates many meals. Then, the country is rich in deep sandy soil, very favorable for growing asparagus. Last but not least Germany, already unbeatable in the industry, is becoming the champion of competitiveness in agriculture all forms of production. "The workforce represents 70% of the cost of production of asparagus in France. Despite a recent decline in expenses, the cost of a seasonal schedule is almost twice as high at home in Germany ", says Angelique Delahaye. Currently, the hourly wage of a seasonal employer costs included, is around 10 euros. In Germany, according to the region, it varies between 4 and 6 euros an hour. Last detail, in France, "the seasonal can not pick the asparagus on Sunday, when he must harvest in high season vegetables every day," says Angelique Delahaye.

ALSO READ:

"Good start to the season for tomatoes French

No teletrack payday loans offer customers extreme speed in granting, approving and remitting cash advances to cater for any kind of unforeseen financial crisis.

 

Since Friday, the plant Fralib is occupied by its employees. A situation that is denounced by the president of Unilever France, Bruno Witvoët. "This is unacceptable in a constitutional state, says in an interview in Paris-Today-in-France. Such a coup with hooded individuals armed with baseball bats and batons, it is not of union action, it's a commando! ". The boss of Unilever France claiming the expulsion "immediate and prompt action with law enforcement" employees, has also filed a complaint for "physical threats" from the police. "From fabrications," Olivier replied Leberquier, CGT union. According to the police of Aubagne, intervened at the scene, there would have been no collision.

"Holland must keep its promises"

"Closing a plant is always a very difficult decision, Bruno recognizes Witvoët. But in some cases – including tea bags – we have overcapacity. This is justified in stopping this site ". He said Unilever has taken responsibility in the case of employees of Fralib, accepting "to add additional resources for the revitalization of the local employment" as required by justice. "Funds for creating new jobs has increased from 1 to 1.5 million euros" and "each dismissed employee is entitled to an internal transfer, pay the same conditions, in one of six other plants in France , "he said.

This new twist, the 592nd day of the conflict comes as 80 of the 103 employees still struggle, of 182 initially received their letter of dismissal. At the same time, a moving company came to do a quote on the site, and management proposed the CGT to move out of its local business, or in organizing the escorted access, for reasons of safety concerns, dismantling machinery. A scenario rejected by the union, which wants to keep the tool working on site to implement an alternative plan of recovery of activity.

Given this situation, unions are demanding the intervention of Francois Hollande. During the presidential campaign, President-elect said: "Nothing is done, nothing is guaranteed and if victory comes, I will also be at your side, President of the French Republic, to get your site live, had he launched at a meeting of employees Fralib in Paris in February. "The company is now under the control of the CGT and the Netherlands should keep its promises. His election is a ray of hope, "says Olivier Leberquier. The standoff between employees Fralib and its direction is far from over.

Presidential in major cities Paris | Leeds | Lyons | Toulouse | Leeds | Sheffield | Liverpool | Bordeaux | Lille

 

Corsairfly becomes … Corsair International. "A change but not revolution," agrees Pascal de Izaguirre, CEO of the airline of TUI. The leaders of the giant European Tourism chose a facelift to revive the company acquired by Nouvelles Frontieres in 1990 when Jacques Maillot was at the controls. At the time it was called Corse Air International

.

Everything has changed since: the German TUI shareholder meeting in France Marmara Tourinter, New Frontiers and renamed the airline Corsairfly stripped a quarter of its workforce … He has invested hundreds of millions of euros to transform the old a charter company whose regular cabs devices have been fully refurbished mid-2013 with a budget of 36 million euros.

Financially, the subsidiary of TUI could not afford a complete change of name: "Rather than spend a fortune to switch brands, it is better to devote resources to what the customer appreciates the ground or on board" , says Pascal de Izaguirre CEO of Corsair International.  

Erase the image and low-cost charter

A budget of 2.5 million euros will be spent on change of visual identity (logo creation, uniforms, aircraft painting). The first plane scratched white and blue logo of the retro graphics will be delivered in July. The other six, including two new A 330 will follow until mid-April 2013.

But another reason is given by the CEO of Corsairfly to explain the lack of boldness in the choice of name: "The Corsair brand is extremely well known. Hostesses and stewards are known to be friendly and smiling. "The old company Nouvelles Frontieres is certainly an image associated with cheap, but also a Spartan comfort.

"Corsair will celebrate its 31 anniversary this year, little known company such longevity, defends Pascal de Izaguirre. Many have disappeared, new arrivals are. We remove the "fly" but also the name of "smiley" logo TUI, not to hide our group membership, but to erase anything that might suggest the charter or low cost. "…. ….

The team of TUI wants to play the card of elegance, high quality services, while remaining competitive on price. The number of seats "open sea" (comparable to a business class) increases from 24 to 36 in the Boeing 747 and 18 to 26 in the A 330. "We have invested heavily in-flight services, airport lounges to Orly, Pointe-à-Pitre and Fort de France, and soon the meeting …"

New destinations

The relaunch of the company scheduled two years ago falls to one of the worst periods through which the world of air: the rates are low while the cost of jet fuel has stabilized at a very high level that weakens companies.

"This does not undermine our vision and direction, says the CEO of TUI France. We are currently addressing the structural problems of the company and it is not challenged by economic factors. TUI, our shareholder, has powerful resources. He made a choice that takes the long term. "

Corsair International will also review its destinations in September, the company will cease to serve Miami. Instead it will open a line to Punta Cana in the Dominican Republic, a destination that has grown 15% since the beginning of the year.

ALSO READ:

"Some European groups headwind against the carbon tax

 

PSG collects records! The Parisian club has made the biggest transfer in buying Argentine Javier Pastore 42 million and the club was the biggest spender of all Ligue 1 last summer by investing over $ 80 million. This winter, PSG has hired three months ago the highest paid coach in France in the person of Carlo Ancelotti paid over $ 6 million per year then the club has spent the most money in Ligue 1 last winter (more than 18 million). Accordingly, in June, the capital club could show, according to Le Parisien, the highest deficit of all clubs of the elite of French football: € 100 million! For the 2011-2012 season, the direction of the PSG is expected to generate 100 million euros in revenue while its expenses are expected to reach 200 million. Half of which are transfers.  

The Parisian club had ancipité mid-season losses of 40 million-which, incidentally is also a record for the Ligue 1. But meanwhile, PSG sacked coach Antoine Kombouare to 4 million, hired a new coach and his staff of half a dozen people, recruited three new players and paid premiums of collective and individual matches.

Germany as a model

Anyway, it would be very bad news if it was confirmed that UEFA will then point at the end of the 2012-2013 season on the accounts of European football clubs. "Clubs must present a cumulative deficit of 45 million euros, said Andrea Traverso, director of financial fair play in UEFA." If this is not the case, the offending clubs face penalties ranging from simple financial penalties up to exclusion from European competitions.  

This perspective does not seem to scare the president of PSG, Nasser al-Kelaïfi, who plans to spend on transfers 100 million euros a year for "five or six years" in an interview with Italian newspaper Gazzetta dello Sport. "I expect a restless summer transfer window next to PSG to do well in the European Cup, but for the transfer markets following the Parisian club will not need to spend much money, says Vincent Chaudel, sports specialist at Kurt Salmon. PSG also must have some stability also sports ". So why is this statement? "The club has an obligation imposed by the results of Qatari shareholders, given the amounts invested in moves, he says. Through this declaration, the President shows other European teams and players who could join him next summer he has the means of its ambitions. "

To offset these significant costs, the Qatari leader expects that the club improves "its revenue marketing, TV rights and ticket sales including" and thus make a profit "within five years." That only the German club Bayern Munich was able to achieve in 2010-2011 with a profit of 1.3 million. In football too, Germany is a model.

 

2011, bad year for the Japanese economy. But less bad than expected. The gross domestic product (GDP) of Japan fell 0.2% in the fourth quarter of last year, bringing the decline in growth throughout the year to -0.7%. The Japanese government initially expected a decline of 0.6% between October and December, which would have increased to 0.9% GDP growth over the twelve months.

Struck by an earthquake and tsunami March 11, 2011 which were 19,000 deaths, Japan saw its number of damaged plants and encountered severe disturbances on its electricity production. At this natural disaster were added the slowdown in global demand, a stronger yen and floods in Thailand where many Japanese companies are based, in particular the automobile cash advance to savings account.

Today, the Japanese economy remains fragile. The government and the central bank of Japan (BoJ) hope however dig us out of slump with a series of measures introduced to boost consumer spending, business spending on support by providing funding solutions, and contain the surge of the Japanese currency.

ALSO READ:

"One year after Fukushima, Japan forced to reinvent themselves

"A year later, returning to the central Fukushima

 

Three major operators compete around the 4G brings the Internet broadband mobility to exchange emails in the blink of an eye, watching videos or surfing the Web at home. Verizon, AT & T Wireless emphasize that LTE (Long Term Evolution). In early summer, Sprint will join the battle overseas.

After saturation of services in New York and California, customers are opting for a more reliable service. U.S. operators had invested less than their European counterparts for the previous generation of mobile telephony. "There is a change in leadership. There are four or five years, European operators dominated the mobile technologies. Now, operators in the United States have adopted and deployed the LTE, "says Wim Sweldens, president of the mobile division of Alcatel-Lucent.

Of some 6.4 million users worldwide LTE end of 2011, 63% of Verizon customers in the U.S., notes the firm Informa. They should represent 428 million customers at end 2016, representing 6% of mobile users worldwide, said the company Juniper Research. 4G is a boon to increase average revenue per customer. AT & T and Verizon offer commercial offers between 40 and 50 dollars a month for data only, not to mention the basic subscription between 20 and 30 dollars. In France, "we want to be ahead of our competitors for the deployment of 4G," says Stéphane Richard, CEO of France Telecom, who refuses to indicate when it will launch its service for the benefit of surprise. Orange is expected no earlier than the end of the year and most likely in 2013.

Sign that the market takes off, the number of terminals available is increasing rapidly. Last year, the only facilities were proposed to connect the USB to connect a PC 4G, Huawei launched by the Chinese and the Taiwanese HTC. In January 2012, "48 for LTE smartphones are on the market, six times the number six months ago," says the GSA (Global Mobile Suppliers Association). Among them, all the major manufacturers have answered the call, with the notable exception of Apple. Catalogs are provided the most offered by Samsung (17 smartphones LTE), LG (10) and HTC (7).

As for equipment for 4G networks, the battle is very fierce between manufacturers to be selected for the 226 to build networks in 76 countries. In this market, European manufacturers are the strongest. Sweden's Ericsson and French Alcatel-Lucent selected by both the largest U.S. operators, reap the biggest contracts. They got respectively 36.7% and 21.1% of the world in 2011, says research firm In-Stat. Then come the duo Nokia Siemens (11.7%), in the lap of the Finnish group, China's Huawei (9.9%) and other actors such Samsung, NEC, Cisco and ZTE.

 

It is a repudiation for the Competition Authority. The institution, which had inflicted 385 million euro fine in September 2010 with the main banks operating in France on their pricing of check processing, has seen its decision questioned by the Court of Appeal of Paris. In a ruling Thursday, the latter took the view that in this case, "the grievances of Understanding (…) can not be accepted" and that the banks concerned "should therefore be exonerated ".

The case dates back to the early 2000s, when banks have embarked on the computerization of processing checks. They are then granted to establish interchange fees, naturally passed on to end customers.

Fines must be repaid to banks

Banks have justified the introduction of these fees, which were abolished in 2007, the cost that they accounted for the modernization effort of check processing. One argument considered to be unfounded by corporate treasurers, who saw the impact fees.

In September 2010, the Competition Authority found in favor of the latter, and denounced an agreement on final prices. A vision not shared by the Court of Appeal of Paris, sought by banks complained, BPCE, Post Bank, BNP-Paribas, the National Confederation of Credit Mutuel, Crédit Agricole, Crédit du Nord, CIC, LCL HSBC France, Societe Generale.

In its reasoning, it considers that the commissions were "directly related to the new system paperless exchange of checks, public interest project neutral in terms of competition law …". It also believes that the Bank Agreement does not constitute "an agreement on final prices."

The Competition Authority may lodge an appeal. When asked, a spokesman said the institution consider what action would give the matter. Fines paid to the Treasury must be repaid to the banks.  

ALSO READ:

"The Competition Authority provides an active year

"361 million euro fine for a cartel of laundry

"Heavy fines for eleven French banks

Where are the hundreds of millions of dollars entrusted to MF Global by its customers? Ls market authorities are trying to answer this question since the announcement on Monday of bankruptcy of the U.S. broker. According to sources familiar with the matter cited by the New York Times, nearly $ 950 million would have disappeared from the company's accounts. This amount would be reduced to $ 700 million after the announcement of bankruptcy. "And a certain amount should resurface in the coming days, until the bankruptcy process progresses," says one close to the talks to the newspaper.

The location of this money is currently undetermined fast cash advance. According to sources close to the investigation, it may be that these funds are still held by banks that handle client funds.The group, which peeled the accounts receivable of MF Global, was alarmed by the disappearance of certain funds.

For now, neither the group nor its leader Jon Corzine, are explicitly implicated by the investigation is still in its débuts.Ils refuse to comment on the matter, the newspaper said New York.

ALSO READ:

"Bankruptcy giant of a commodity broker

"The fall of MF Global shook investors

American billionaire Warren Buffett wants his share of sacrifice to help America reduce its budget deficit. In an article published in The New York Times, the head of Berkshire Hathaway investment fund called on parliamentarians to raise taxes on Americans with annual incomes exceed a million dollars, and even more taxing those who earn more than ten million dollars per year.

He said it does not hurt to use or for investment, while helping to clean up the country's finances. "Our leaders have called for shared sacrifice, he writes. But when they did ask, they spared me. I checked with my friends to see which mégariches sacrifices they expected.Them either were not affected. "Warren Buffett has led his small survey: last year's tax rate accounted for 17.4% of its taxable income, while that of 20 workers in his office was between 33% and 41%.

"While the poor and middle class fighting for us in Afghanistan, and while many Americans are struggling to make ends meet, we, the mégariches, continue to benefit from special tax exemptions," says the American billionaire.

ALSO READ:

"Lunch with Buffett sold $ 2.6 million