International Headlines and Stories

Before settling in a small apartment in St. Cloud, just steps from the Seine, has Lagneau Lawrence thought he would never be able to leave Saint-Ouen. At issue: a "preemptive right" exercised by the mayor Audoniens when selling his old studio in 2009, and who has earned more than a year of court proceedings.

This right of preemption makes it possible for local authorities to be given priority when selling a property on any other potential buyer, and at a price generally below the claims of the seller. To exercise this right, the community must demonstrate a specific urban project (renovation, rehabilitation, etc …).But in Saint-Ouen, as in other suburbs of Paris run by municipalities left (Saint-Denis, Bobigny, Bondy, Montreuil, Les Lilas, Nanterre …), the right of first refusal is now held up for the sole purpose of discourage owners from selling their property at a price above the market, otherwise they would face lengthy legal proceedings …

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Consumers do not win, but dentists can rejoice. The senators voted Wednesday for the removal of the requirement for practitioners to mention the purchase price of prostheses they provide to their patients. This indication was made mandatory since the implementation of the "hospital, patient, health, territory" (HPST) in March 2010 and aimed to introduce more transparency in the prices charged by dentists.

For the price of hearing varies almost by a factor of two firms, analyzed the organization last February mutuelle.com. Rates that depend on several factors: the quality of the prosthesis, the reputation of the dentist, the neighborhood where he practices, but also the level of medical coverage for the patient."It is almost a rule that the physician inquires about it, so that the topping facto contributes to drive prices up and enjoy in good part to the care provider," noted the Court of Auditors A report published last year.

No effect on import prices

Disparate rates are also particularly high. Citing a 2005 report published in Belgium, the Court of Auditors noted that the price of a prosthesis in France is 2.5 times that of a prosthesis in Germany, itself 25% more expensive that 'in the Netherlands.

Aggravating factor for the French practitioners: the growing share of imported models (about 15% in 2010 according to the French Dental Association) has never passed on the average price charged by dentists.Yet the cost of dentures made in China, Madagascar and North Africa is three times lower (40 euros against 120 euros) than models manufactured in France.

Competition poor '

Accordingly, it is 10% of the French population is forced to give dental care because of cost, says the Institute for Research and Documentation in Health Economics (Irdes). Generally, dental costs alone constitute more than half of medical benefits to which patients give up that ground.

It is under these facts that the Court of Auditors argued last year that the quotation offered to patients include the purchase price of the prosthesis. "Improving transparency would help to remedy a lack of competition today," thought the institution.

"Intensive lobbying"

The senators, however, have decided otherwise Wednesday. Gilbert Barbier, behind the amendment removing this requirement, explains: "The text was virtually unenforceable. If you want to calculate the cost of a prosthesis, we must delve a lot of ancillary costs, "he explains. Furthermore, why impose this requirement only to dentists, not the garage for example? "He asks. "Dentists have had the feeling of being stigmatized. Let us keep right, "came Wednesday in support of meeting the Minister of Health Xavier Bertrand.

Another argument advanced by Senators: prices of acts called "conservatives" (scaling, treatment of caries, decay …) would be undervalued by social security. "For ten years they have not been adjusted.This explains that dentists sometimes compensate by increasing their margin on prostheses, "suggests Gilbert Barbier. Yet, according to the ECA, some of these rates were revalued by 30% in 2006. Meanwhile, prices of prostheses continued to grow at an annual rate of more than 3% …

For UFC-Que Choisir, the situation is clear. "The intensive lobbying professionals was correct in the interest of patients," said Cedric Musso Thursday, director of institutional relations within the association, in the columns of "Paris-Today in France. "The dentists are not commercial professions. As health professionals, they do not make a profit on hardware sales. "

The net is closing around the football clubs. By last weekend, the president of the Professional Football League (LFP), Frederic Thiriez confirmed the loss of 114.1 million euros for the Ligue 1 clubs in 2009-2010. The report of the National Monitoring Directorate and management has not yet been validated by the union of professional football clubs (UCPF). "The clubs have been affected by the global crisis and the slowdown in the transfer market," he says.

Nevertheless, the president of the LFP is aware that the explanation goes beyond the mere "fact crisis." Revenue transfers fell sharply (-41% in 2009-2010), wages that are consistent, in equity base (-28.8% in 2009-2010) are all reasons for the economic difficulties of football French."Success" of the tender on the television rights to be held between April 30 and May 15 is more than ever sought by clubs in Ligue 1. In other words, they hope that Canal + will raise its offer or another broadcaster will file his candidacy. In an exclusive interview figaro.fr, president of Olympique Lyonnais, Jean-Michel Aulas has admitted that in case of falling revenue from TV rights, it will sell two or three players at the end of the season and reduce the wage bill of around ten million euros.

In addition to increasing revenue, including sponsorship and ticket sales, the long-term goal for the elite of French football is to significantly reduce its expenses. Involved soaring player salaries. "For at least three years, wages have been higher by at least 20% on budget," said Richard Oliver, president of the DNCG free credit score online.While the practice of financial fair play must be established at European level in three years, the DNCG intends to strengthen its supervision of accounts of football clubs.

"Addressing the hazards athletes"

From the 2011-2012 season, the supervisor will compare the funds' own clubs with bigger operating loss, excluding transfers recorded in the last three years. If it was higher than the equity, off-recurring items, the club's transfers in question are framed over a period of three to five years. "The goal is to allow clubs to deal with uncertainties sports, not as a qualification for a European Cup or relegation to a lower division," said Richard Oliver.

At first glance, the clubs would be on the same wavelength as the DNCG.The average salary of new contracts signed in Ligue 1 when last winter transfer window is actually down 7% from the summer of 2010. Yet the annual report of the supervisory authority on the accounts of French clubs for the 2009-2010 season which was published last Friday was postponed. The reason? League 1 expressed pessimism annoyed by the DNCG. "The concerns are not in France when there are foreign clubs, and big clubs, who would not qualify if the financial fair play were applied today," said Jean-Pierre Louvel, president of the 'UCPF.

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After a weekend in the green, reassured by the decline of the yen in Asian markets starting this week under pressure, worried about the possibility of a global recovery weaker than expected in a political and economic uncertainty. The publication Friday of U.S. employment figures better than expected has not been enough to bring lasting confidence in Asian stock markets, still focused on inflationary pressures found on the price of oil. The stabilization of the dollar against the yen has not been able to restore confidence. On the foreign exchange market, the U.S. dollar is trading around 82.34 yen 82.29 yen against Friday night.

Still tense political situations in countries of North Africa and the Middle East, including Libya, continue to support oil prices.They continued to rise Monday morning in electronic trading in Asia. In morning trading, a barrel of light sweet crude gained 1.33 cents to 105.75 dollars. That of Brent North Sea was up 59 cents to 116.56 dollars.

Shanghai alone is optimistic

In Tokyo, the Nikkei index of 225 main values closed down 1.76% at 10,505.02 points. The resignation of Foreign Minister of Japan, Seiji Maehara, this weekend against a backdrop of political funding scandal, seems to have had a marginal effect on investor sentiment, they remain focused on macroeconomic issues . Among the main falls, that of Toyota, down 2.7%, weighed down by the context of rising oil prices and a ratings downgrade by Standard & Poor's business cards.Other values exporters, hit hard by global economic uncertainty, including Honda Motor (-3.5%) and Canon (-2.4%).

In Hong Kong, the Hang Seng index remained fairly stable, falling from 0.15% to 23,374.20 points. Themselves also affected by fears about the consequences of higher oil prices, the highest values among the affected aeronautical companies, like Air China, down 3.8%.

Only the Chinese financial market starts its week on a more optimistic tone, reassured by the comments this weekend's Premier Wen Jiabao on the priority given to reducing inflation in the Middle Kingdom. Especially a senior Chinese exclusively responsible said Sunday that rising prices in the country had certainly slowed in February and is expected in the 4.9% recorded in January. The CSI 300 Index of Shanghai ahead of 1.81% to 3,330 points.

Elsewhere in Asia, distrust dominates. The proposed merger between the Singapore Stock Exchange and Australian Stock Exchange has not really attracted investors, despite the comments of Magnus Bocker, the chief executive of the Singapore Exchange, saying it would allow companies to benefit from better growth. The FTSE Straits Times advanced 0.09% timidly, to 3064.05 points, while the S & P / ASX 200 fell by 1.37% Australian, to 4797.90 points.

In Taiwan, the Taiwan TAIEX fell by 0.8% to 8713.79 points. The KRX South Korea withdrew him, from 1.79% to 4226.27 points while the BSE Sensex down Indian 1.70%, to 18,171.40 points.

LE FIGARO. – The case could come to an end soon, what was its genesis?

Patrick Pelata. – As you know, we received a letter of termination sent last August to four people and then sent to me because it involved a member of the steering committee. After a three-month investigation, three accounts were found. First opened in March 2009, in Switzerland, with money from an audit firm in Cyprus. A second opened in February 2010, Liechtenstein, powered by a firm from the same country. Fed into this account every month a third in Switzerland via a Swiss company. A dozen people were involved in internal monitoring this case.Made before the cross, we took the decision to stop the investigation in late December.

What were the findings of this survey?

We were particularly concerned about the hundreds of pending validation. But access to such information is encrypted, we have become convinced that they were protected. However, data on the economic model of the electric vehicle were within reach of two of them. One of the three executives had daily access.

But do you have evidence that information has left the company?

Our investigation revealed the accounts.Given the strategic positions of these three frameworks, we are told that the whole economic strategy, industrial and technological development of electric vehicles could be targeted.

What decision have you made?

On 3 January, we convened three executives suspected for a layoff conservatory in compliance with the Code of Labour. They immediately left the company, then had their maintenance dismissal on 11.

You mentioned an international organized network …

We were facing a cash flow diagram extremely complex.

Why not have appealed to the DCRI to conduct this survey?

We made a mistake does not involve the DCRI earlier.

How did you collaborate with investigators after the case was leaked to the press on January 4?

On 6 January, we sent the file to the DCRI.We provided the account numbers. At the time, the President asked the management asked all stakeholders to collaborate with the Police.

And since then?

After three weeks of media crisis, we asked the President to speak out to protect and sustain Renault management.

What about the investigation today?

A number of factors lead us to doubt.

What does this tell you?

Two hypotheses. Either we are dealing with a case of espionage and a framework for the management of security protects the source against all odds. Renault is a victim of manipulation, of unknown nature but that could take the form of a scam. In this case, if all doubts are removed, we propose the reinstatement of three frames and, in all cases, Renault will be very attentive to repair any injustice.In both cases, the company suffers. If it is a manipulation, it is important given the complexity of the patterns revealed that requires a good knowledge of the inner workings of our society …

Is your internal investigation was made lawfully?

Yes, from the standpoint of French law. To call a pharmacy is a fairly common practice in such cases and Renault is not alone in doing so.

How can such a case does not recur?

We decided to board all our procedures in detail. We started an internal audit on the operation of our entire security system.We will try to determine if the security service is attached to the right direction, if there are flaws in the functioning of systems to protect data systems and we will also review the internal investigation process starts when we receive a letter of termination and the manner of functioning of our ethics committee. Moreover, a job exchange of good practices and benchmarking is conducted with Michelin, EADS, CEA, or Arcelor-Mittal. We have results within weeks.

What mood are you so swollen that the controversy?

We have at heart that this case leads to the truth. When the investigation is complete, we will draw all the consequences to the highest level of business is to say to me.Carlos Ghosn, CEO of Renault and Nissan, will speak and decide when the investigation will be permanently closed and that the prosecutor has given all the conclusions.

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A few months before the end of his term – and then she is a candidate to succeed himself – Anne Lauvergeon, CEO of Areva, on Thursday presented the annual results scrutinized by the market. The year 2010 the French group is the world leader in nuclear contrast: while the net profit group share jumped over 60%, but this performance is largely attributable to the gain of 1.3 billion euros performed on the occasion of the sale of the transmission and distribution – divided between Alstom and Schneider.

But the operating profit shown in the red for the first time since the group's inception in 2001: the loss stood at 423 million euros, against a gain of 97 million in 2009.Two factors explain these difficulties: firstly, the delicate construction of the EPR in Finland, which required an additional provision of 367 million euros, on the other hand, the depreciation of mining assets of the group, s' has resulted in a provision of 426 million euros. All these provisions have been recorded in the first half of 2010, but in the case of mines, however, adding it took 126 million euros.

The – many – who oppose the reappointment of Anne Lauvergeon not fail to exploit the operating loss. Signs in their eyes, the president of Areva hard to conduct large-scale projects, even though the French nuclear industry seeks to invest in many markets abroad.Meanwhile, his opponents regularly stigmatize a deteriorated relationship with EDF, its partner of choice.

Backlog

In the camp of Anne Lauvergeon, the interpretation of the situation is obviously different. The CEO of Areva does not mask a "structurally difficult period, marked by a lot of investment, construction of a range of reactors and the scheduled end of the activity Eurodif (the uranium enrichment plant located in the Rhone Valley). " But she said the course and completed the transformation carried out since 2001. Enough to create, insists the president a lame duck, "a dynamic in which the group will soon reap the benefits.

Anne Lauvergeon underlines the progress of the order book for 2012 with the dual purpose of a turnover of 12 billion euros and an operating margin in double digits.In addition, a new order of the reactors is expected in the coming months, "in a country other than China or India."

Regarding the relationship with EDF, Anne Lauvergeon welcomes the conclusions of the last nuclear policy, "which has normalized the situation." The fact that the EPR is built in the reference product of the French sector and the lack of fundamental questioning of the integrated model of Areva underpin about the president's nuclear group. She is delighted that finally work towards the rebuilding of a great strategic partnership with EDF "progressing well". In charge now for the woman to win the battle for its renewal. She looks extremely tight.

It's a comeback for Arkema. The first French chemist announces annual results on Wednesday well above market expectations. In 2010, the group posted a net profit of 347 million euros, compared with 172 million loss he suffered in 2009. Analysts on average expected a profit of 322 million euros. This performance brought the band to its pre-crisis.

Revenues also jump from 32.9% to 5.905 billion euros, 5.862 billion higher than the consensus. They were drawn in particular by strong growth in demand in Asia, where the group now generates over 18% of its sales. In industrial chemistry, which represents more than half of its sales, Arkema said to be highly successful in increasing its prices more than offsetting the costs of raw materials.

The gross operating surplus (EBITDA) amounted to 790 million euros against 310 million a year in 2009, giving a margin of 13.4% up 6.4 points, after reducing its costs. Also significant: Arkema has reduced its debt to a record low of 94 million euros at end 2010, without taking into account the proposed acquisition of the resin coating that Total should be done in mid- 2011 for a value of approximately $ 550 million.

Boost investment

On this basis, the group's forecasts could be optimistic.Arkema was "fully in line" with its 2015 targets presented in November: an EBITDA of over one billion euros and a turnover of approximately 7.5 billion, supported by innovation, the rapid growth of emerging and targeted acquisitions.

For the first quarter 2011, EBITDA "should significantly exceed that of the first quarter of 2010, which was 137 million euros. In addition, the group will increase its current investment program which should be around 360 million euros, against 293 million in 2010.

Exchange side, Arkema proposes a dividend of 1 euro against 0.60% in 2009.

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