The government, which did not include this option in the first place, now says not to exclude the idea. "It is the wishes of the parliament, we will discuss," said the spokesman of the government, Valérie Pécresse, on the set of Canal + on Thursday.

The stakes are high for the government because the sugar-free drinks, but with sweeteners that give a sweet taste, is increasingly consumed.Today, they account for 17% of the soft drinks market with strong brands like Diet Coke or Coke Zero.

No figures have yet been provided about the extra tax revenue that would generate this new amendment, if adopted in plenary session. The previous amendment adopted by the Finance Committee of the National Assembly, to double the amount of tax, also remains to be validated by all the members. By itself, it could generate a windfall estimated at 250 million euros a year, instead of 120 million euros initially planned. The rate of contribution on the sodas would be increased to 6.22 euros per hectolitre in 2012.Then he would be raised from the beginning of 2013, to January 1 of each year, at a rate equal to inflation (excluding tobacco) in the penultimate year.

Support the agricultural sector

As announced in the Figaro, the objective of this expansion drinks with sweeteners is to finance the lower cost of agricultural labor "to allow our farmers to sell their products at the same price as Germany and Spain" explains Valérie Pécresse. The government has in fact reduced in 2012 from 210 million payroll taxes on permanent farms. The tax will be reviewed and corrected to about half.

The industrial problems digesting the news. "We said from the beginning that it was normal to participate, provided that everyone involved in the fight against deficits.Simply, we do not want to be the adjustment variable of all the deficits that pass and on which we have not much to see, "said Jean-Rene Buisson, president of the National Association of Food Industries (Ania ). The doubling of the tax sodas would, he said, an estimated increase "between 0.2 and 0.3 cents" per can.

No problem for Michel Diefenbacher UMP (UMP): "These drinks, which are not basic necessities, benefit from the reduced VAT rate.They must be able to withstand the additional load generated by this new contribution, "says he in a sub-amendment.

But for now, nothing is yet definitively confirmed nor on the doubling of the tax, nor about its extension to drink with sweeteners.

End of aspartame in system U

The distribution group Système U has chosen to abandon the use of aspartame in soft drinks sold under any brand, starting in January. For the first time a manufacturer makes such a decision. This choice responds to the concerns of the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) on the effects of this artificial sweetener.

Système U has already banned the use of parabens in cosmetics and Teflon in cookware. Its chairman Serge Papin, expresses his desire to "become a leader in healthy products."

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In the early morning, Prime Minister Iveta Radicova recognized that there was still no agreement in favor of a positive vote. The government could be forced to get a favorable vote, to offer in exchange for the organization of early elections.That is to scuttle.

Slovakia is the last state to ratify the agreement of 21 July, which must be adopted unanimously by the seventeen member countries of the euro area to take effect. If the vote is negative, in a few hours, the shock could be severe in the financial markets. Sole ground of hope, the Slovak parliamentary system allows in case of negative vote of Parliament to seek a second, which may occur on weekends and offer a last chance for negotiations.

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But Thursday, François Fillon has caused confusion. Referring to the economic convergence between France and Germany, he said that things were moving in the field of corporate tax.He added: "It will take time to go to a joint work towards a common retirement age, to a gradual convergence of economic and social organization of our two countries." But the retirement age with full pension, except for long careers, will be increased to 67 years across the Rhine by 2029.

"Target needed '

Trial balloon of "Fillon-the-discipline"? Clumsiness (this passage was the only improvised his speech)? Applies to defuse his entourage: "Convergence is a general purpose necessary to maintain the competitiveness of France. The recent pension reform is an element of social convergence, and the government does not intend to go beyond in the coming months, "says an adviser.And up, tongue-in-cheek, that the barrier of 67 years had not been mentioned, and that convergence might as well be on "our" 62 years cheap business cards…

In fact, it would be difficult for the Prime Minister to explain that further reform is needed, a year after he hammered the previous balance the books. But in the midst of primary socialist and the day of the budget of the social security, his statement could hardly go unnoticed. For François Hollande, Fillon "revealed the program of Nicolas Sarkozy" in 2012. Segolene Royal accused her of "not being honest", the systems are so different that any comparison between the 67-year German and French 62 years is risky.Exact to the point that Valerie Pécresse also used the argument to play the controversy, noting that the retirement age without financial penalty for people without all their quarters of contribution, would be increased from 2023 in France … in 67 years.

These subtleties have also pushed Martine Aubry to say that the Prime Minister does "not know the subject" and "has a problem with the actual figures." What afoul of Xavier Bertrand: "She would have done better to remain silent. If there is one subject on which the PS has done nothing, other reports and reports of decisions, it's pensions, "responded the Minister of Labour.

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Pierre PRINGUET. – Congratulations to the teams of Pernod Ricard. The group has an excellent performance, with both a strong acceleration of growth of our business and our operating profits. For the first time ever, our net income exceeds one billion euros. These figures show the relevance of our premiumisation strategy and innovation. Our high-end bottles account for 71% of our sales, against 69% last year. Our new products (Wild Tea Absolut, Malibu cocktails …) our limited series and our innovations in advertising and packaging met with success.With a new bottle of Ricard sales increased 5% in France, a market of aniseed stable.

You get ready for a worsening economic environment?

No, I fear neither slowing growth in emerging countries or return to recession in mature markets. The world faces a problem of public debt, with a unique in Greece, the country most fragile. But the political dimension is at least as important as the economic dimension. Everyone was betting on an acceleration of growth in mature markets: the targets are scaled down, but countries will experience low growth in 2011 (1.5 to 2%). And there is no reason for the dynamic growth of emerging countries is slowing. For 2012, the objectives are still serene. IMF sees faster U.S. next year. You can always play to be afraid.But the psychodrama of the summer on the state of the banking system has nothing to do with the situation of 2008 and the general crisis of debt at the time. It is a political problem, but not macro-financial.

There will be no effect on the growth of your business during the current year?

We expect continued moderate growth in mature markets for the fiscal year beginning in July (1.5% last year) and continued strong growth in emerging countries (17% last year) . These will drive our growth: built on solid economic fundamentals, these markets are naturally attracted to our premium brands.

The tension in the markets makes it more difficult to manage your debt?

For our bank debt, we have no due before July 2013.We have an active management of our debt, with two bond issues last year to EUR 1 billion and $ 1 billion respectively. Interest rates remain particularly low, we will seize every opportunity to issue bonds. We will continue our debt reduction, with the aim of achieving 30 June in a net debt / EBITDA of close to 4.

You will be able to resume your acquisition policy …

Does not expect to purchase several billion on 1 July. In the meantime, we will conduct no strategic acquisitions. However, we can make tactical acquisitions, such as tequila Avion in July. It is both a start-up and a brand ultrapremium, sold between 40 and 60 euros a bottle, which allows us to expand our portfolio in the United States.This is the type of operation we will focus in the immediate future. Acquisitions of Brazilian cachaça or baijiu Chinese are possible options. In our business, this is not the type of product that counts, but the brand. Pernod Ricard could also create one from scratch. This is one of the objectives of our internal team called BIG (Breakthrough Innovation Group), whose current head of our German subsidiary, Alain Dufossé, just take the lead.

This summer, Patrick Ricard, non-executive chairman of Pernod Ricard, said at that point the group should aim for first place in the spirits market. What is your strategy to achieve this?

This is the purpose of our project Agility. The goal is not size for size, but the growth momentum. Our sales have grown faster than our competitor's last year. We must repeat that performance this year.We take the market, we are the most innovative, we are well placed to achieve this.

Alexandre Ricard was promoted a few weeks ago. It is well positioned to succeed you …

Two things are certain. One is Alexandre Ricard has an excellent track. That's why I named Executive Vice President in charge of distribution networks. The second is that I leave my post January 31, 2015, when I turn 65, according to the statutes of Pernod Ricard.

"The decree allows to adjust the price cap to the station for the gradual opening to competition of the railway market," says the text. Clearly, to boost the attractiveness and profitability of the public entity within the opening to competition of the European network, SNCF should be able to offer its customers a range of rates much larger, developed based on supply and demand.

Rate increases on the crowded trains

The gain to consumers is mixed.On some busy routes, these new capabilities would enable the public body to go beyond the current full price of the second class in rush hour cheap payday advance. Holidaymakers taking TGV lines busy for example will be expected to pay more. However, for trains shunned by customers, the SNCF would be allowed to go below rates currently charged to attract new passengers.

Such liberalization was requested by the SNCF to the government at the end of last year, in return for the introduction of a tax to finance inter-deficient lines. Neither station nor the government have so far expressed on the subject.Signatory to the decree, the Minister of Transport, Thierry Mariani, was at the time held that freedom of the SNCF tariff should remain regulated, "in that competition does not really exist."

According to Challenges, consumer groups such as FNAUT will be formally consulted before the application of the decree, "probably in the fall."

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.

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At least, that understands the Financial Times on Saturday. Echoing the words of sources familiar with the matter, the newspaper said that Beijing had threatened "to undermine a deal worth billions of dollars for 10 Airbus super jumbos" in protest against the decision of the European Commission to include air transport system in the trading of CO2.This measure is to buy permits for each tonne of carbon emitted dioxin in European airspace, beyond a certain threshold. The Asian company Hong Kong Airlines was the official control of very large aircraft at the Paris Air Show. But the hardening of the Chinese position facing the European measure prevents the conclusion of the agreement, according to sources.

This disagreement does not allow to increase to 12 orders for A380 harvested at Le Bourget. Thursday, Airbus had reported a firm order for 10 A380, from an unidentified customer. According to one industry source, this command corresponds to that of Hong Kong Airlines. The counter for very large aircraft will remain blocked for the moment 2.

The case could also be amplified in the coming months no fax cash advances. "These are not the only contracts held hostage by the Chinese.One on the A380 could be only the first, "explains the paper citing its source. Because the European manufacturer has other current contracts with the Middle Kingdom. Meanwhile, the Airbus management is counting on a visit to Berlin next week Chinese Prime Minister Wen Jiabao, to unblock the situation and conclude the contract.

"No plan B '

Beyond this contentious spot, the tour in Europe, China (Wen Jiabao arrived here Friday in Hungary, a country holding the rotating presidency of the European Union) should be an opportunity to address the underlying problem of quotas. A delicate matter, the European Commissioner for Climate Action, Connie Hedegaard has formally ruled out that the Chinese retaliatory measures have any impact on the measure, scheduled to take effect next January. "There is no plan B. Our position is very clear.We would not amend, "she said.

Faced with this inflexibility, Tom Enders, the boss of Airbus, for its part called on Europe to be flexible, saying the "madness of attracting reprisals" from a player as influential as the China. For the latter, comply with the requirements of the EU would entail, for the Chinese airlines, a surcharge of $ 126 million in 2012, according to data from the China Air Transport Association (CATA). This figure set to rise in coming years, when China's increasing its flights to Europe. In his struggle, China is also supported by the United States.

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European markets have increased their decline late in the session, according to the temper of the U.S. markets. These show heavy losses after the publication of a series of bad statistics.

The weekly jobless claims rose in the United States during the week to June 18, at 429,000 against 420,000 (revised) the previous week, said Thursday the Labor Department. Economists on average had expected 415,000 jobless.In addition, new home sales fell 2.1% in May for the first time in three months, according to figures from the Commerce Department. On an annual basis, sales came out at 319,000 units. Analysts had expected 310,000.

Also in the United States, a report by the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) on Wednesday warned against an explosion of net public debt, which can reach 100% of GDP by 2021 if nothing is done to correct the current course. In addition, the U.S. central bank is now focusing on a GDP increase of less than 3% in the fourth quarter.New measures could be considered if the economic situation deteriorated.

In China also, the index of HSBC measuring manufacturing activity fell in June to its lowest level in eleven months.

In the euro area, the ads are not as fun. PMI purchasing managers fell in June to its lowest for twenty months to 53.6 points, confirming a slowdown in European economic activity. The growth of private sector activity in France has slowed more than expected in June.

Note that European leaders find themselves on Thursday night in Brussels at a summit to try to reassure their ability to stem the endless debt crisis in Greece and prevent contagion throughout the euro area, which worries more and more abroad.Other items on the agenda: the confirmation of the appointment in November of the Italian Mario Draghi as President of the ECB to replace Jean-Claude Trichet.

Oil unscrews

On the currency markets, the euro fell sharply against the dollar on Thursday, as the market digested the Fed announcements. The single European currency was worth 1.4254 dollars against 1.4349 late Wednesday.

For their part, oil prices tumbled on Thursday as well, dropping more than $ 8 in London and close to $ 6 in New York, after the decision of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IEA) to tap 60 million barrels in its strategic stocks to supply the market. In New York, a barrel of "light sweet crude" (WTI) to let go due in August 5.02 to $ 90.39 dollars, after touching 89.69 dollars, its lowest level since Feb. 21.A barrel of Brent North Sea crude for August delivery fell 7.61 dollars in London to 106.60 dollars, after getting off a few minutes earlier to 105.72 dollars, its lowest level since May 6

EDF denies

Side values, only EADS, parent company of Airbus, is in the green at the end: the title earns 0.78% to 22.02 euros. The low-cost Malaysian airline AirAsia has placed a firm order for 200 Airbus A320 Neo, a record in civil aviation in number of units sold bad credit personal loan lenders. Thanks to the mega-contract, the total firm orders for Airbus is about $ 58 billion for 621 aircraft. The buyers of the Airbus A400M signed a framework agreement on the development and maintenance of the fleet of the future military transport aircraft. Furthermore, after signing an order for sixteen billion dollars with Indigo.American Airlines could also favor the European aircraft manufacturer at the expense of its rival Boeing.

Banks suffer: BNP Paribas lost 3.86%, 3.55% Societe Generale, Credit Agricole and Natixis 3.75% 3.45% while trades a private sector participation to a new plan of aid to Greece . European banks resisted, however, a defect in Greece, according to Bernard de Longevialle, head of bank ratings at Standard & Poor's. Note that BNP Paribas bought 25% of Findomestic to the bank Intesa Sanpaolo for 629 million euros and now holds 100%.

EDF (-1.92% to 25.59 euros), which plunged 3% yesterday at the meeting, had to deny rumors of leaks in nuclear plants in France. The CGT has nevertheless confirmed that called for an end of a reactor at the plant in Seine-Maritime Paluel due to extraordinary levels of radioactivity.The electrician has admitted it yesterday "an accumulation of small differences" after the publication of an article Mediapart citing incidents in series.

In addition, the dean of French nuclear reactors, the central Fessenheim, would be allowed in the coming days to continue to operate for ten years.

EDF is also increased to 96.71% of share capital and voting rights of EDF Energies Nouvelles after the public offer launched on its subsidiary, announced Thursday the AMF in a statement.

Air France-KLM lost 3.36% to 10.08 euros.

Dassault Systemes (-2.25% to 56.43 euros) a table of double-digit increase in sales in the aerospace and defense between 2010 and 2014 thanks to the many innovations offered by these sectors, said Wednesday Reuters its chief executive Bernard Charles said in an interview.

Automobile manufacturers seek to diversify their income and increase customer loyalty.

Peugeot (-1.77% to 29.36 euros) PSA installed production capacity that should allow it to manufacture more than 30,000 hybrid vehicles per year, reports La Tribune. "At Sochaux, we expect a potential of 70 to 80 units per day," says Serge Isler, project 3008 Peugeot hybrid.In addition, PSA has manufactured in Rennes, Brittany, just over 15,000 Peugeot 508 equipped with the same technology, the paper said.

The vaccine against typhoid Sanofi (-1% to 52.29 euros) was granted the status of "prequalification" of the World Health Organization (WHO), prior to its use by UNICEF and other agencies International, a first for a vaccine of this type, the group announced Thursday.

PPR (-1.45% to 115.80 euros) holds 87.4% of the U.S. manufacturer of sports clothing Volcom at the end of its tender offer (OPA) is friendly and able to reach 90% capital by playing an option, according to a statement released Thursday by the French group.

"COMPETITION – Estimate the Cac 40 in late June

.

The coming days ahead crucial step after the meeting convened in emergency Tuesday night. The future plan for assistance must be discussed Monday during a Eurogroup long planned – this one – in the context of the EU summit on 23 and 24 JuneMeanwhile, Nicolas Sarkozy and Angela Merkel should also mention the issue in Berlin on Friday.

Crushed by the weight of a huge debt of 350 billion euros, Athens has already obtained a loan of 110 billion last year, and creditors are preparing to give a hand to the pocket extension could be around 90 billion euros, according to figures frequently mentioned.

Reactions conservative banks

"The German government is ready to take additional measures," said Tuesday the German finance minister, Wolfgang Schäuble, while holding that "of course" private sector participation was "an element" of any additional program.His Dutch counterpart, Jan Kees de Jager, for his part felt that the private sector should shoulder more than 30% of a new assistance plan.

But the European Commission, the ECB and France in particular, warn against any commitments forced march of banks and other pension funds, which could have a destabilizing effect on markets. "We are against the involvement other than a voluntary private creditors," was repeated before MEPs Mario Draghi, who should succeed Jean-Claude Trichet in November.

For its part, the Commissioner of Economic Affairs, Olli Rehn, has talked about the preparation of an "Agreement on the basis of the Vienna initiative, under which banks extend the term of their loans and do so voluntarily."For the Belgian Finance Minister Didier Reynders, "all sorts of authoritarian measures likely would include a risk for Portugal or Ireland, a risk for the euro area."

Several options are on the table. Berlin calls for an exchange of bonds, which would lengthen the debt maturity of seven years. The other track to the study is a continuation of voluntary debt maturities (rollover).

The ground is shifting, investors can quickly interpret a conscription as a step toward bankruptcy. As a warning, the rating agency Standard & Poor's downgraded three notches Monday note of Greece, to "CCC".

From the banking side, the reactions are currently cautious.The German Banking Federation Saturday approved the principle of private sector participation, without specifying the terms, while the governor of the Bank of France showed its confidence in the financial system driver (see below). French and German institutions are most at risk from international creditors.

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On Wednesday, the Tokyo Stock Exchange reacts in turn negatively.The Nikkei, which started on a stable note, losing 0.34% to 9410 points at a time of closing. The index is penalized by lower export values, themselves affected by a further strengthening of the yen against the dollar. The automotive sector is abused, as evidenced by decreases of Honda Motor (-1.46%), Nissan Motor (-1.02%) and Toyota Motor (-0.46%). The title Tepco, very volatile, also weighs on the side with a drop of 9.26%. In its wake, Kansai Electric Power lost 1.55% and Chubu Electric Power 3.21% loose.

Technological side, Sony is gaining 0.44% after introducing its new portable console Vita and its 3D games, while trying to forget the piracy of its network, at its conference held in conjunction with E3, the largest show dedicated to videogames, which opened Tuesday in Los Angeles.Conversely, Nintendo unscrewed from 5.96% after raising the curtain on the new version of its Wii game console, the controller now has a touch screen. Dubbed WiiU, the new console would be launched between April and December 2012, said the Japanese group, without specifying the price.

The Stock Exchange of Hong Kong and Shanghai are also in the red. the Hang Seng lost 0.93% and the Shanghai Composite dropped 0.34%. The banking sector in Hong Kong is attacked, like HSBC Holdings, which fell by 1.06%.Even the movement: the Korean Kospi 1.34% loose, the Australian S & P lost 0.43% and the Indian Sensex down 0.35%.

Oil on a mixed note

Oil prices were without direction Wednesday in electronic trading in Asia, in expectation of an OPEC meeting in Vienna in the day that might decide to increase production.

In morning trading, a barrel of light sweet crude for July delivery took 7 cents 99.16 dollars. That of Brent North Sea crude for delivery same retreated 48 cents to 116.30 dollars.