International Headlines and Stories

And if you asked more questions in the right place? "Suggests now a television commercial for Old National Insurance (CNAV) to the humorous. A few days before the commencement of the pension reform (July 1, read PreviousPage), the government explained to the French that they have several partners that would respond to questions they are sure to arise on their future retirement. Consultants by telephone (39 60), websites (pedagogical and practical), retirement calculator (m @ rel), statement of career situation, sources of information about retirement have increased in recent years.They are also more and more personalized.

Thus, the public interest group (GIP) Info Retreat, which coordinates 35 mandatory pension systems, address every five years from the age of 35, a statement of "personal circumstances" (those born in 1951 , 1956, 1961, 1966, 1971 and 1976 will receive their statement this year). This lists all schemes where the insured has acquired rights, with the corresponding periods, the compensation taken into account in calculating the pension, life insurance or the number of points acquired, periods or events that may influence the retirement age or the amount of pension (military service …). A document is purely informative.

From 55 years, is changing

Policyholders receive more than the statement a "rough estimate global" (in the basic and supplementary schemes), and the age of entitlement.Very useful, this document lets you know exactly the number of quarters acquired and especially to get a clear idea of ​​the amount of support we receive, if it pushes his retirement. "Generally, these reviews are thorough and well done. They have quite a few mistakes, "said Pascal Mignery, president of France Retreat. Mistakes are sometimes the result of the corporate employer, which did not submit all information collected at the time the computer did not exist short term personal loans. "But beware, these records do not mention the increase in pension for family of three children and periods of expatriation," he says.

In addition to these two devices, the law on pension reform introduced a progress retirement at age 45 (it enters into force in January 2012)."Each insured may request a personal interview on the rights he has made in mandatory pension systems," says CNAV. This will enable some awareness of the need to save for retirement yet distant. "It will also be very useful for expatriates who do not always know they can contribute to the French funds while overseas, in advance Pascale Gauthier Novelvy.

Also from next year, the younger will also be sensitized to the problems of retirement. After two quarters of work (validated), they will receive a newsletter on pension division.

If you want to know the exact amount of your retirement, you can use the calculator m @ rel (www.marel.fr).This will also allow you to know at what age you can claim a full pension and to know the financial consequences of an early departure. Small flat, you must enter yourself all your information. Moreover, this simulator does not yet take into account the terms of the pension reform.

Those who had a career more complex, punctuated with many changes (employer or status, for example) will knock on the door of a boutique firm that will help them see more clearly (at what age from, what are the benefits of combining employment and retirement …). "We help employees not err in departing three months too early for example. We are also much sought in their forties who are considering changing their professional status and wish to understand the implications this will have on their future retirement, "says Pascal Mignery.The price of such a service? Between 1000 and 5000 euros on average, according to the firms.

The wrong number of French industrial production in April cache of surprises. Certainly, the activity of the entire industry fell 0.3% over this period, while forecasters had expected a rise of 0.4% and economists agree to observe a slowdown of the dynamics the first quarter. But the details of the figures in April can put this performance-cons.

Besides the automotive industry continues to suffer with the end of the scrapping (-2.2% on the month), the energy seems to be the main cause of industrial slowdown in April. Electricity production (-5.6%) was significantly affected by unseasonable temperatures, households cut heating, explain heart economists at BNP Paribas and Societe Generale.Same explanation for the drop of 7.5% of the refining, weighed by lower consumption of heating oil.

The average temperature in April has exceeded its normal seasonal 1.7 degrees, placing the period from seven months to April the warmest since 1950. Beware, however: "The figures are very volatile energy from one month to another and this subset weighs relatively little in the overall index of industrial production," Camille Williencourt shade, Natixis.

Other areas seem to have benefited from a recovery in investment. Equipment and electrical machinery and electronics rose 1.3% in just one month, offsetting a fall in March. Transport equipment, non-automotive jumped 2.5%."These figures are in line with the recent study by INSEE on the investment outlook, anticipating a strong rebound in business spending on equipment", says Michael Martinez, of Société Générale CIB.

Still, he recalls Camille Williencourt that "the French industrial activity is expected to slow significantly in 2011 after rising 5.1% in 2010." It is difficult to predict how the magnitude of the slowdown, according to the economist, with one side a weakened consumer spending in France, but on the other, very dynamic export to Germany.

A year after the liberalization of gambling on the Internet, which some had as a jackpot is not insured the success expected.

While the law was intended to fight against an illegal offer bloated Regulatory Authority of online games (Arjel) has granted 49 licenses to 35 operators (25 in poker, 16 and 8 in paris sports paris horse) but some players – among the largest – continue to go on unauthorized sites. "One of the major objectives was to ensure that the French are all on sites approved by the Arjel, has not been reached," said Nicolas Beraud, president BetClick Everest Group and the French Association of Online Game (Afjel), which paints a mixed picture of the opening. Since June 2010, the French have wagered 1.5 billion euros in Paris and equestrian sports, according Arjel.In poker, the stakes are higher than 6 billion euros, plus 800 million in entrance fees to tournaments.

Newcomers complain about not earning money. They are also worried about the lack of appetite for players for their offer. "On sports paris, the number of active players accounts is down from the 7th month of the opening," says Christophe Blot, CEO Sajoo site.

Tax debate

In this context, the perspective of a possible change in the law, in November, is the subject of intense lobbying, pure Internet players (BetClick, Bwin …) are penalized by the judging rules. "We demand a change in the tax base," said Emmanuel de Rohan Chabot, CEO of ZEturf. Opinions differ."We stand for maintaining the cap are paid back to players, along with a set of taxation," says one to the PMU, while in the French game (FDJ), it is estimated that "the current tax helps contain the addiction and the risk of money ". "There is no need to change the balance of the law, thinks Bélinguier Bertrand, president of the Ffejel, which represents casino Barrière, Joa, Sharp, the FDJ and PMU. But we can simplify the formalities for opening accounts, expanding the supply of paris sports and strengthen the fight against illegality by giving more powers to Arjel. "

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It's a heavyweight who joined the circuit on Tuesday from the Banque Populaire Group in sailing. Loick Peyron (5 league titles on the circuit Orma, winner of the 2nd edition of the Barcelona World Race with Jean-Pierre Dyck, twice winner of the Transat Jacques Vabre) became the new skipper Maxi Banque Populaire V. In Focus a single objective: toppling the Jules Verne Trophy record held since March 2010 by Franck Cammas on Groupama (48 days 7 hours and 344 minutes). A world tour tried – and failed – by the Banque Populaire Group in early 2011, with its iconic skipper Pascal Bidégorry.

"Loïck Peyron is someone who has an aura in sport," said Olivier Klein, CEO of commercial banking and insurance BPCE. The arrival condition of the sailor of 52 years are clear."He joins us for the period 2011-2012 in particular for the record attempt the Jules Verne Trophy," he says. Our goal was to find someone whose legitimacy was denied on the circuit and whose track record enabled him to succeed this season. We have an appetite for victories and high standards, "he adds. The Jules Verne Trophy is also a family affair for the Peyron. Bruno Peyron in a three-time holder with two ships, Commodore Explorer, and especially Orange 2.

Tight schedule

The timing of Loïck Peyron and his crew are more than busy, with a break-in period that may be very minimal entry into the heart of the matter will soon June 17, SNSM with the trophy (won by Loïck Peyron in 2008), followed by 13 to 15 August it will be time for the Fastnet, before positioning itself for a new record attempt the Jules Verne Trophy this winter.

Present in sailing for 22 years, Banque Populaire bet on the "giants of the seas." The group was one of the pillars of the circuit Orma, and has developed no less than 5 multihull ocean. In 2006, the bank of the sail is the choice of major records. "We found an alternative to these big races, but with the demise of this circuit, we had to get into the big record," says Chantal Petrachi, communications director of Banque Populaire. That's when we started the construction of the maxi-trimaran 40 meters. Cost of operation: 11 million euros.

With the arrival of Loïck Peyron, the Banque Populaire loop device sail for its 2012 edition, year of the next Vendée Globe. The Team has established race team, led by Ronan Lucas and no fewer than three major projects.Besides the Jules Verne Trophy, the bank is engaged in the Imoca circuit. In April, former skipper of Brit'Air, Armel Le Cléac'h, joined the team to retrieve the bar of the old monohull Foncia, bought late 2010 and refurbished by the bank in anticipation of the next Jacques Vabre and the Vendée Globe. Jeanne Gregory, the group is also engaged in the Figaro circuit.

"Three in four French people know Banque Populaire bank as sailing. We therefore had to have a comprehensive approach on the sector, for example, from clubs and sailing schools. The veil is a very high surface exposure for a brand because we give our name to a boat or a team, "says Olivier Klein.The Banque Populaire Group is also a partner of the French Sailing Federation for 11 years, it maintains the history of the Pen Duick alongside Eric Tabarly association and supports teams of France's Olympic sailing next pure OJ London.

Nearly two in three French (62%) want that France is phasing to operate its nuclear plants. By adding the 15% of the population favored a quick halt French nuclear program, 77% of the French population is now opposed to this energy source. That is what emerges from the last Ifop poll, conducted from June 1 to 3 of 1005 people aged 18 and over, for the Journal du Dimanche. Only 1% of the panel interviewed did not comment. Supporters of a soft stop is at 74% of supporters of the Socialist Party, the Greens 61% and 37% of the UMP.

The German example

The gradual change of mentality of the French would not only result from the shock wave caused by the nuclear disaster in Japan, but also that of the German decision to phase out nuclear energy by 2022.Last Monday, German Chancellor Angela Merkel, under pressure from Germany's Green Party, announced his decision to close the 17 German plants, within 10 years.

What might convince a few more French, interviewed after the announcement, the possibility for a developed country to live without this source of energy. Still, the German and French positions are far from comparable, France still produces 73% of its electricity by nuclear power, against 25% in Germany easy payday loans.

Stating his position on this issue, François Hollande, Socialist Party MP and the Corrèze Socialist candidate primary, moved elsewhere, always in the JDD, reduced initially by 75% to 50% dependence on French nuclear. For its part, Europe Ecology-The Greens called for a total abandonment of the atom.Final lesson revealed by the survey on Sunday, if the government is opposed to nuclear stopping, the UMP adhere less to this position, 55% of them sharing the wishes of their fellow citizens. These supporters are nonetheless the most pro-nuclear, with 37% of them advocating the continuation of nuclear program, and construction of new plants.

The state park is also hexagonal become less important to the French. Surprisingly, the hostility to nuclear power is indeed associated with the expression of any concern on the part of the French against nuclear sites. In total, 55% report little or not at all concerned about nuclear power, while only 44% a month ago.

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The idea of ​​a debt restructuring Greek away. Not that the Greek finances are better, but the idea of ​​establishing a new financial assistance plan to avoid bankruptcy again the country is preferred. A year after the granting of a loan of 110 billion euros, and Europeans should put money on the table … to conditions that Greece itself consents to further efforts.

According to latest information, this aid would be encrypted between 60 and 70 billion euros. The IMF would disburse 10 billion euros and the European Union, 20 billion. Greece, she will find 25 to 30 billion. How? Increasingly advanced the idea of ​​involving the private sector in these efforts. The basic idea is that banks maintain their exposure to Greek debt on a voluntary basis, to prevent capital flight.It argues that Germany: "It is important that the private sector assumes its responsibilities," said-there at the German Ministry of Finance. And the ECB seems to favor this solution. Anyway, this Thursday, Jürgen Stark, member of the ECB executive known for his orthodox positions, said the agency did not rule out this hypothesis.

Fiscal restraint and privatization

Greece and a delegation of the "troika" (European Union, International Monetary Fund, European Central Bank) are still debating. They promised that a statement would be released Friday afternoon. Greek Prime Minister George Papandreou will deliver when the outline of the new austerity program they have developed.According to sources, the amount will rise to 6.4 billion euros, the price of higher taxes and a revision of tax exemptions on income.

However, nothing is said about the new aid. Jean-Claude Juncker, Eurogroup President, assured that no crisis meeting between finance ministers of the European Union was expected. A decision will be taken "by the end of June."

Adjusted parallel, the country's bluff, has initiated a process of privatization, which will reap 50 billion euros fast cash advance loan. Ports, airports, railways, water from Thessaloniki and Athens, racetracks, telecommunications and the postal bank is the first wave of Greek businesses for sale.A strike call was issued for June 9 to protest against the wave of privatizations.

The euro, "strong and credible"

If the equity markets still lag heavily the shock of the degradation of the note in Greece yesterday (Wednesday), the euro, he continues his way to the rise, settling comfortably above U.S. $ 1.44 (1.4472 at the highest this Thursday). Thus, in the underlying trend, concern about the financial world dominates while the Greek bounces back – and worried – almost every day: today at the Paris Bourse, the CAC 40 plunged more than 1.4 % to 16 hours and Wall Street is struggling to resume after signing its worst session since August 2010.Yesterday, the German newspaper Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung has confirmed the hypothesis of a new program of assistance to Greece, which the IMF would take part, failing to pay the last part of the initial grant.

But the most volatile foreign exchange market, for sale today are in favor of the euro … and against the dollar. The European currency was primarily driven by reassurances from Jean-Claude Trichet, who said on Thursday in Germany, that "there is no crisis of the euro", and called the currency " strong and credible ". The ECB president has fueled the prospect dune next rate hike. He also suggested the creation of a Ministry of Finance and European imagines that "the European authorities have the right to veto certain decisions of national economic policy."American side, a series of bad economic figures have polmbé the dollar, the euro mechanically pulling upward.

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Bulky Bin Hamman and Warner
Except turnaround unlikely, Sepp Blatter was re-elected for the third time as President of FIFA in Zurich Wednesday. It is not difficult to predict because the Swiss, who directs the proceedings since 1998, is the only candidate since the withdrawal this weekend in his last opponent, Qatari Mohamed bin Hammam. A forced withdrawal and the scent of scandal. President of the Asian Confederation, Ben Hamman has indeed been provisionally suspended by the Ethics Committee of FIFA because of suspicions of corruption against him. Jack Warner, CONCACAF President, Vice-President of FIFA, and support shown by Ben Hamman was also temporarily suspended for the same reasons. The two men are suspected of attempting to buy the votes of the Caribbean Confederation (CFU), which they strongly refute."I deny the allegations that I made statements to the CFU on donations from Mr. Bin Hammam," asserted Jack Warner in a statement while saying, however that "in Miami, the Congress of the Concacaf May 3, Mr Blatter had donated one million dollars to our federation, "without the consent of the finance committee of FIFA.

A gift for which an investigation had been opened before it was quickly closed by the money outright Blatter any accusation of corruption by the Ethics Commission. A past president quickly cleared and a final opponent suspended, the unfolding of events may leave pensive and may suggest that FIFA is the realm of small arrangements. Especially when the case comes just weeks after revelations of the British weekly Sunday Times about the allocation of World Cup 2022 in Qatar.Especially so when a vice-president of FIFA accredits these revelations by making public the contents of an email sent by Jerome Valcke, FIFA general secretary and confidant of Blatter. "For MBH (Editor's note: Mohamed Bin Hamman), I've never understood why he was entering the race. Or so he thought that one can buy FIFA as the Qataris have purchased the World Cup, "Valcke reportedly wrote in an email sent to Warner!

Blatter on the royal road
A blow to Blatter camp when the Swiss campaigned on a zero tolerance towards corruption.But Jerome Valcke has justified his writings stating that "it can happen to employ a less formal tone when I use this medium which by its nature, encourages exchanges" lighter "than other forms correspondence "and that" in referring to the FIFA World Cup 2022 in this e-mail, I wanted to highlight that the future host country had used its financial strength to rally much support (…) I n 'I at no time refers to the buying of votes or any behavior inconsistent with the rules of ethics. "Sepp Blatter, he is right in his boots remained Monday at a press conference in emergency to try to extinguish the many fires in the house FIFA.

"We must fight the demons, there's a bad situation, but there will be an elective congress on Wednesday and the family of football, if it wants to restore the credibility of FIFA, can do with me," Blatter said, refusing to evoke the decisions of the Commission on Ethics ("I'm not allowed to comment") and denying the existence of a crisis within the federation he heads ("football is not crisis when we see the final of the Champions League, he just some difficulty "). So everything is for the best in the best of worlds for Blatter whose reelection is no longer any doubt.Because on the eve of polling, it is unclear how the appeal of Bin Hamman, the request for postponement of the FA made on Tuesday or calls for reform from places like Australia (Editor's note: England and Australia respectively were candidates to host the World Cups 2018 and 2022), could prevent the Swiss to begin a fourth term. Starting what happens under the sign of the scandal …