International Headlines and Stories

The Ministry of Labour are fewer social plans. The first half of 2011, recorded 507 Dares backup plans in employment (PSE), according to Les Echos on Wednesday morning. It is 30% less than the first half of 2010 and 60% less than the same period of 2009, where the destruction of jobs reached a record level.

In total, the plans submitted earlier this year targeted the elimination of 25,000 jobs, against 35,000 in the first half of 2010. The stigma of the crisis have not yet been erased: PSE 507 registered in the first half, it's still 40% more than in 2008.

Increase job creation

These figures confirm a trend already highlighted by the INSEE and Dares. The net job creation continued to rise in the first half, despite the uncertainty on growth.126,500 jobs were created in the market sector, a trend that accelerated in the second quarter.

The particular industry, particularly affected by the PSE, recorded in job creation for the first time in ten years. "With the acquisition, the use of overtime in the industry declined, giving way to new hires," Dominique Barbet analysis, economist at BNP Paribas. These new jobs, however, remained insufficient to curb unemployment, increased again in May and June

Substitution effects

The decrease in the number of PES is also to be taken with caution. Part of the ruptures conventional recorded since the scheme in 2008 could indeed have substituted for the redundancies, and thus contribute to an artificially low numbers.The development of off mobility and the increased use of temporary and fixed term contract, could also have played.

With a growth rate in 2011 likely to be less than expected, this downward trend may not otherwise be pursued so as frank. The PMI index released Tuesday by Markit already reveals a contraction of industrial activity in August. Business leaders surveyed this month said a volume of new orders down, the most severe recorded for 27 months. The rate of creation of posts at the highest level in four months, it does not yet felt.

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After a rebound during the session, Wall Street has finally caught up by letting the gloom hanging over global stock markets for two weeks at the close on Friday, the Dow Jones gives 1.57% to 10,818.48 points and the Nasdaq, dominated by technology loses 1.32 points 2341.86.

After opening in the red, the indices of New York had yet managed to climb briefly into the green. Before ending again in the red. Of all black this week, the Dow Jones lost 3.71% and the Nasdaq fell 6.53%.

This Friday, the NYSE has not been spared by the new storm that struck the European stock exchanges and which had already shaken the stock markets in Asia. Yesterday, as elsewhere, the New York Stock Exchange closed down a massive, affected by disappointing indicators released during the meeting confirming the poor performance of the U.S. economy.Moreover, operators, already worried by the economy of the euro area, were cooled by the large loan dollars awarded by the European Central Bank (ECB) to a bank in Europe, whose identity has not been revealed. This action has reinforced doubts about the ability of banks to refinance the region. The euro also declined against the dollar and is trading around 1.4290 dollars against 1.4319 on Thursday.

Finally, Morgan Stanley confirmed the fears of a global economic slowdown by scaling back its growth forecasts for 2011 and 2012. The bank also said the United States and Europe were "dangerously close to recession."

Evidence that the operators' confidence is at its lowest, gold, a safe haven par excellence, is powered from yesterday to new heights.On Friday, an ounce reached a new record in 1864 dollars after jumping up to 1867 payday advance.30 dollars in the morning. For its part, a barrel of U.S. light crude oil, which fell 6% yesterday, still lost 12 cents Friday to 82.26 dollars a barrel. Over the whole week, he lost 3.12 dollars, or 3.65%, registering a fourth weekly loss in a row. Contracts on October Brent have lost them for their $ 1.63 to 108.62 dollars a barrel.

Values ​​of the day

On the corporate side, this session will be marked by a slump in Hewlett-Packard, which lost just over 20% to 23.60 dollars. The group published its results on Thursday lowered its annual forecast for the third consecutive time. It now expects an annual turnover of between 127.2 and 127.6 billion dollars, against a previous estimate of between 129 and 130 billion.The group, which has made a takeover offer for the British publisher of software Autonomy, has also announced plans to dispose of its business in personal computers. Another major surprise: HP goes out of business in the mobile, arresting the development of tablets and smartphones.

Bank of America (-1.14% to 6.93 dollars) will remove 3500 positions during the quarter, according to an internal document cited by Reuters.

Autodesk (-11.69% to 23.41 dollars) has reported a 6% increase in revenues in the second quarter and a net profit better than expected at 71.2 million euros, or 30 cents per share.

Gap (-8.61% to 10.67 dollars) on Thursday posted a quarterly profit above analysts' expectations despite lower sales to a number of store.Net income for the group totaled $ 189 million (131.8 million), or 35 cents a share, against $ 234 million, or 36 cents per share a year earlier.

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The European Union has embarked on a spring cleaning of food labeling. And their supposed virtues to health. Energy bars Brand Gerblé supposed to boost memory? The court decided otherwise, since it ruled in favor of a consumer association by calling the advertisement "misleading." Currently, the national association of consumer and user (CLCV), one of the largest of its kind, which is in litigation against the giant Candia. At the heart of the debate, promises related to the consumption of milk Silhouette Active expected to play a role in appetite.This drink, ensures the manufacturer, would be "natural source of calcium and low in fat" and contain "a revolutionary active ingredient that helps you eat less at the next meal."

It is to fight against the proliferation of misleading health claims that since 2008, the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) is working on the content of thousands of labels. Manufacturers of each EU country provided their respective states, which were to follow EFSA, the allegations they wanted to use and the scientific literature. Thus 44,000 cases arrived at the office of the Authority for food safety. But after having eliminated all the duplicates and health claims related to plants that will be discussed later, the experts themselves to verify the actual 2760 scientific assertions.Among these products boasting of "antioxidant", "anticholesterols", "good for your bones", others favor the "removal of the water" by the kidneys, or some highlighting the "energy "and ensure the" vitality ".

Poorly supported arguments

Analysis of the EFSA has not focused on products but on their components. "In the end, only 20% received a positive opinion and 80% were eliminated, 'the officials of the Authority. For several reasons: incomplete files or too vague, and poorly supported arguments and sometimes a little wacky documents. "About the effect of a vitamin on the hair, companies have provided scientific studies do not speak of the vitamin or no hair," says Professor Ambrose and Martin, one of the experts of the EFSA.Besides a folder containing … the activity report of British Airways!

The 500 claims remaining in contention are only the opinion of the EFSA. The final list will be established in the coming months by the Member States on a proposal from the Commission. This could happen in 2012. Knowing that the industry will still have six months to adapt, the actual implementation of the measure expected in early 2013. John Dalli, the European Commissioner for Health, said he wanted to "regulate an opaque market."

"The idea of ​​improving nutrition labeling dates back several years, observed with some skepticism Inserm researcher Pierre Meneton, salt specialist, who believes that the excess sodium chloride is the cause of 30,000 to 35,000 deaths per year in France.But this work on a reform of European labels have long been in a drawer. "It remains to be hoped that the work undertaken by the European does not remain a dead letter.

Regulation eagerly awaited by the Directorate General for Competition, Consumption and Fraud Control (DGCCRF). Because if Europe says the regulations, that the DGCCRF have the burden of verifying the reality of its application. "Before, companies benefited from a regime of almost total freedom," said William Cousyn, in charge of the nutrition issues. And it was the DGCCRF to prove fraud. The latter was particularly common: "95% of scientific claims that the DGCCRF asked us to check proved wrong," adds Martin Ambrose who is also expert at the National Health Security (handles).

For the DGCCRF, the label control will be facilitated since each claim will match a specific list of ingredients required. For the industrial sentenced for false advertising (in legal terms, we talk about deceptive marketing practices), the fine can reach 375,000 euros although it is rarely the case. Actually, what bothers most companies, it is the bad publicity generated by such trials. "The biggest deterrent is ultimately to include excerpts of court decisions on packaging, says Mr. Jerome Frank, one of the lawyers of the UFC-Que Choisir and CLCV. Should somehow punish them by where they have sinned. "

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Today, Genevieve Lethu almost a pioneer. It's been almost ten years since the specialist tableware decided to repatriate most of its production in France. The group did not wait for the rising costs of transportation and wage inflation that affects a part of Asia to relocate its production in France and Europe. While 40% are still manufactured in Southeast Asia in 2002, this proportion has now dropped to 9%. Aim of the operation to improve the quality of its products.

According to Edmond Kassapian CEO Genevieve Lethu and origin of this strategy, the manufacturing conditions in emerging markets were no longer satisfactory. "We see a lot of flaws too: for example, the colors were sometimes not good.Moreover, China does not always meet the hygiene standards required by the manufacture of kitchen utensils, "said he. Three or four people were paid full-time, just for the after sales service. Manufacturing defects that the company, positioned on a medium-high-end, could not pass up. With a significant portion of its customers for export, being a French brand was not selling enough. "Our customers are demanding products made in France, not South-East Asia," said Edmond Kassapian.

Especially these failures were added to other problems. "Our own suppliers copied our collections to sell at lower prices," recalls the CEO. Occur in Asia also means longer production lead times, which complicate inventory management.In addition to transport by ship, which takes about two months, the status of "world factory" in China in some areas it is a work organization to lean. In this context, start or restart a production cycle requires a waiting period of up to six to eight months.

Model difficult to transpose

By bringing back most of its production in France, Geveniève Lethu won as responsiveness and quality. But this shedding was not built without problems. "Finding plants in France and Europe that can ensure our production has not been an easy task. Invest in tools, machinery was necessary. The repatriation was ultimately effective only from 2004-2005, "said Edmond Kassapian.Despite the cost of transportation and the "huge mess" deplored by the specialist tableware of its products made in China, produced in France is generally two to three times more expensive.

Why the model Genevieve Lethu is not easily transferable. "Some activities simply can not be relocated. Products requiring significant labor to manufacture or those who stand out from the competition will cost products in Asian countries. Our relocation was only possible because we are positioning ourselves in the middle and high end because the argument made in France for us was a selling point, "Edmond analysis Kassapian.

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The countries of the euro tried Tuesday to better figure than the day before, when the long meeting of their finance ministers had led to no decision on the treatment of the Greek crisis. While financial markets had begun their day with a new rout, especially in Italy and Spain, three elements have helped bring a little calm.

The fall was first halted at midday by the sudden intervention of the European Central Bank, which bought the debt of Italian and Spanish markets to contain the bleeding. Bond yields eased, and banking stocks have rebounded.

Then, after the ministerial meeting, the idea of ​​a summit of heads of state of emergency in the euro area by the end of the week has been mentioned, but not confirmed at this stage .Brussels has not been known for over a year, at the height of the Greek crisis. At the time, Athens had to escape bankruptcy and avoid contagion to other peripheral countries. This time, the issue would be of a different order: stop the contagion to Italy, that is to say, in the heart of the euro area.

Aware of the seriousness and urgency of the situation, the leaders of the eurozone reiterated on Tuesday their "absolute determination to maintain financial stability in the euro area." The panic that swept requires quick and accurate response on the second bailout of Greece, originally presented to September.From Washington, Christine Lagarde, Executive Director of the IMF has also urged Europe to a "rapid implementation" of its promises in favor of Greece.

In Brussels, however, the debate on how the rescue of Athens has remained mired in quasi-theological discussions on the involvement or not of national treasures, the – voluntary or not – private creditors, and the possibility that Greece is formally in default.

The seventeen remain divided.Mezzo voce, increasing numbers of ministers want to raise what they consider to be a taboo that prevents Greece and other countries of the euro at bay to renegotiate its debt on more favorable terms, as do businesses and individuals.

Greek debt buyback

"With this ban, there could have substantial involvement of both voluntary and private sector," said a diplomat from northern Europe. Without it, the creditors can engage in the exercise may be painful but saving the spreading of the debt of Athens, or restructuring. Tuesday, the head of the ECB, Jean-Claude Trichet, however, was still open resistance to any idea of ​​failure on the part of Athens, as Greece itself."No option is not ruled out one account of what works," says the French Minister, Baroin.

The Eurogroup is exploring avenues to ease the debt burden for Greece. The EFSF, European Financial Stability Fund, may buy back part of the Greek debt (or finance the purchase by Athens) deep discount on the market since it is considered high risk. This track would be more or less to replace the Greek bonds Eurobonds under joint signature. The project has so far faced the hostility of Angela Merkel, keen not to "federalize" the budgetary transfers in the euro area. But the conflagration that threatens growth, perhaps the Chancellor to change the view again.

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A calm and a return was less loud than last year, that's what forecasters expect Havas Media between July and September on the French advertising market: according to figures from the Fast MPG indicator, released today, growth net investments in the media will reach 1.3% in the third quarter.

"The figure is not large in absolute terms but remains positive, and the base effect, as compared to the same period last year, will not be favorable," said Regine Tournier, Deputy Director in charge of purchasing Havas Media. The market should remain on trends in April and May, a slowdown after successive quarters of rebound recorded since January 2010."There are a lot of attention from advertisers, or the advertising market is closely linked to GDP," says Regine Tournier, underlining at the same time that one is not present provided a turnaround. "The market is fairly soft, but in digital."

In the detailed forecasts by media, Internet is the best advertising medium oriented in the third quarter, with an anticipated growth of 9.7%. "The video format is continuing to win and extend more the speeches on television, notes Valerie Ghezail, design manager at Havas Media.Advertisers of food, which were pretty far back, or those of health and beauty and luxury become familiar with the formats premium. "A dynamic that will eventually rub off on mobile investments, say specialist media agency, which noted however that the strategies "multiscreen" advertisers do not yet support this, despite the existence of audience measurement of mobile users Médiamétrie for nine months cash advance no faxing.

In comparison, the third quarter should be subdued for television (1.4%), the beginning of September does not counterbalance the traditional quiet months of July and August. The telecom sector could still surprise, departing earlier than expected from the operator which will launch its offer Free mobile and could force its competitors to defend their positions.

The display should change in the market (+1.3%).Important sector, the distribution has now become accustomed to very local campaigns, while the car tends to divest this medium.

World Cup effect

In radio, after a positive start to the year from its family of traditional advertisers (retail, automobile), the trend looks rather stable (+1.8%). Such as television and the Web, the media should take effect in September's World Cup rugby in New Zealand, with the spread of matches in the morning.

As for the press, the trend will be even negative (-2.9%), despite the proliferation of new forms in magazines and some interesting initiatives, such as the launch of e-GIE Press Premium, which brings together since June 30 eight daily headlines and news magazine.

The France Televisions group announced the acquisition of the rights of future Olympic Games. The amount of these contracts is estimated at between 40 and 50 million per event. Added to the cost of production estimated at ten million euros for each Olympic Games.

LE FIGARO. – You will be broadcasters of the Games until 2020. What is the nature of this contract?

Remy PFLIMLIN. – We confortons our rights to the Olympics because we buy in total exclusivity until 2020, both for those Winter Games and Summer. In addition, we ensured that these rights were all media and therefore usable regardless of the distribution methods and terminals. We proclaim Wednesday as we know what city will host the 2018 Winter Olympics.It is also a way to show our solidarity with the application of Annecy.

How much have you paid to secure those rights for eight years?

These amounts are very similar to what we paid previously. In other words, there was no bidding. Furthermore, it is important to remember that in a market increasingly competitive, it is essential to securing sports rights for the long term. Unlike the time when the rights were sold territory by territory only to local operators, we are faced with an internationalization of competition, as evidenced by the arrival in France of great actors like al-Jazeera. Nothing would prevent them from acquiring the rights to resell on their own terms. Ditto for Internet players.It is important to "store" the events that constitute the cornerstone of our programming.

Was it necessary to acquire these rights in all media exclusively?

The London Olympics of 2012, we will publish an exclusive program with the exception of pan-European Eurosport will be a good test. We may be measured including the economic impact of such diffusion. This also reflects the need, in a broader landscape, to differentiate ourselves from other channels. Sport, as evidenced by the purchase of rights "minor" by small TNT channels, allows the aggregation of audiences. Finally, the fact of having these events on digital is the best way to preserve the future personal loans for people with bad credit. Beyond that we will schedule on the air, we can have up to 12 simultaneous streams live on our digital offerings.This will allow us to expand our audience but also to return, why not the youngest to the TV screen.

What is the advantage to bet on these events?

The Olympics are both a major event and part of our DNA. It is the mission of public service to provide free access to numerous sports that are not prevalent, but large. We aim to bring to life the events giving them an attraction that no one else is that we may be able to provide. We did it last year with the European Championships in athletics and swimming, we redo this year's World Championships in both disciplines. Our goal is not limited to the retransmission of events, it is also to make people want to practice a discipline. This is true of sport as culture.This is a key element of our relationship of trust must maintain channels with viewers as well as information.

In this regard, you inspire the return of the hostages on a background of controversy over the excessive risks they have taken?

First of all, I think the joy inspired by their return premium on everything! This is a major event in this house who lived in the constant concern for the fate of Taponnier and Stéphane Hervé Ghesquière. It is our public service mission to be present on all important events and reporting. Unfortunately this is not the first time that France Televisions is faced with the kidnapping of journalists. Remember the hostages in Lebanon and those of Jollo. I realize that this job involves risks that must be evaluated. Especially since, if it becomes impossible to report the news, there is no point in taking them.We will do everything to make this not happen again, but we will keep this role of ours: being a publisher of reference, be a kind of watch the world around us by being present on all distribution media.

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The Stock Exchange of Hong Kong and Shanghai respectively climbed 1.42% to 22,068.70 points and 1.84% to 3012.17 points in morning trading on Friday and take the coast on the main stock indexes in Asia Pacific. In Tokyo, the Nikkei is 0.47% at 9641.68 points, in India the BSE wins 1.33% to 17,964.10 points, Singapore, the Straits Times rises from 0.32% to 3054.54 points and Australia, the S & P / ASX earns 0.33% to 4515.20 points.

So yesterday, a barrel of oil fell in New York and London due to the intervention of the International Energy Agency – which drew on its stocks to meet a "shortage", companies the airline industry substantially benefit the stock market. Air China climbed 6.81%, 1.87% of Singapore Airlines and Qantas of 2.33%. Values ​​rise as exporters like Toyota (1.08%) or Toshiba (4.10%). In South Korea, Samsung and LG allows itself 1.2% 0.9%.On Friday, oil prices increased again: the barrel of "light sweet crude" for delivery in August went back to almost 92 dollars (91.94 dollars to be precise). That of Brent North Sea crude for August delivery took 64 cents to 107.90 dollars. Note also that in Australia, the giant telecom Tesltra which drops by 2.7% against a backdrop of advertisements loss widened.

This Friday is also the first trading day of the Italian Prada. The luxury group took 0.25% for its early trade Friday, becoming the latest group to date to be chosen this place in the heart of Asia to raise capital.The action open to 39.60 Hong Kong dollars (3.56 euros), while the Hong Kong Stock Exchange opened with a gain of 0.39%.

In addition to these movements, the mood settles while the Greek case relaxes: Europe Thursday promised a new plan to save Greece from bankruptcy and avoid contagion to the entire euro area or the rest of world, but kept up the pressure to Athens in exchange for adopting an unpopular austerity program.Greece, it has reached an agreement with international donors on the final details of a new austerity plan, whose adoption in parliament expected next week will determine a second aid plan to avoid bankruptcy the country.

The earthquake in Japan will cost 145 billion euros

The earthquake and tsunami of March 11 in Japan have caused direct damage estimated at 16,900 billion yen (147 billion euros), said Friday the Japanese government. This sum corresponds to the destruction suffered by the infrastructure, homes and businesses of northeastern Japan, devastated by an earthquake of magnitude 9 and a giant tsunami that killed more than 23,000 dead or missing.

The government had previously estimated the damage in a range between 16,000 and 25,000 billion yen (139 to 217,000,000,000 euros).

Was expected that Qatar Airways unveils giant Airbus order on Inauguration Day Show. Finally, the company Gulf merely a new order for six Boeing 777 for a total of $ 1.7 billion. When asked what setbacks, Akbar Al Baker, CEO of Qatar Airways, said yesterday that he was still in discussions with Airbus and the new order was not finalized. "We are still negotiating the terms of purchase of A320 and new A380 Neo. The announcement will take place later, perhaps even after the Paris Air Show, "said the CEO of Qatar Airways, whose existing fleet of 98 Boeing aircraft with only 25.

Akbar Al Baker said he was extremely disappointed with the delays announced by manufacturers on their programs and in particular the delivery of the A350 XWB."We need to have an overview to decide on our purchases of equipment and because of these delays, frankly, we no longer trust."

The officer of the company of Qatar has made no secret that he is very interested in programs of Russian and Chinese manufacturers "based on Western technology".

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The Greek government will appeal to the people. Prime Minister George Papandreou said in Parliament on Sunday "in the fall, we will go to a referendum on the main reforms in this country." The Socialist attempts to obtain the agreement of members on the composition of his new government and its austerity plan over five years of 28 billion euros needed for a new international aid.

These reforms are challenged in the street and into the ranks of the narrow government majority (155 seats out of 300). This is to appease the critics that Papandreou had to reshuffle his team Friday, so it presents to Parliament on Sunday. "I applied for a renewal of confidence in the government because the country is at a crucial point," he said.We need to find "a national agreement to deal with deficits and debt are a Greek national problem," he added. The vote of confidence will take place Tuesday night.

The Prime Minister is attempting to rally right-wing opposition to his austerity plan. The latter, who had hidden some of the deficits of the country before the crisis in 2009, refuses to give carte blanche. Its leader, Antonis Samaras, reiterated that his party "did not give a vote of confidence in the government as socialist Papandreou insists on a policy that does not solve problems but makes them worse."

Division concerned

European leaders are concerned about this division. Merkel supported George Papandreou Friday: "He is fighting for Greece meets its commitments, we support it.(…) It is hoped that the opposition supports the Greek government. "

Finance ministers of the euro zone meet in Eurogroup on Sunday night and Monday special meeting. They must agree on the payment of the new tranche of aid provided under the 110 billion euros of loans in spring 2010 in Greece. A budget that would allow the country to spend the summer. In addition, Europeans must also agree on a new aid plan, the sum is not yet defined. The negotiations come up against particularly on the modalities of participation of banks in the effort.

Do not expect an agreement by Monday morning, however, said the rpésident of the Eurogroup, the Luxembourg Jean-Claude Juncker. The European Commission had yet spoken this week of an agreement expected by Sunday evening.French President Nicolas Sarkozy and German Chancellor Angela Merkel had said Friday on their side need to "act quickly" on the Greek case. "We'll talk tonight about the involvement of private creditors, the question is how far it can and must go," said Jean-Claude Juncker.

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