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The brilliant career as an economist Dominique Strauss-Kahn has just experienced a sudden stop. Arrested in the United States for alleged attempted rape, he tendered his resignation as CEO of the International Monetary Fund, he held since 2007. Throughout his career, "Mr. Economy" of the left has always shown great independence from dogmas and pre-established lines of thought.

One of the first major breaks with Dominique Strauss-Kahn "left classic" based on his involvement in the privatization programs of companies. While he has served as economy minister in the Jospin government from 1997 to 1999, he oversaw the opening of capital committed long ago. In 1997, the capital of France Telecom has been successfully opened in the middle of Internet bubble, a second bet on the stock exchange then took place in 1998.Similarly, Air France, Highway south of France, Eramet, Gan, the ICC or NOC experienced partial or total privatization between 1997 and 1999. DSK is estimated that some public enterprises were no longer intended to remain in state ownership, after sixteen years of public guardianship, since the wave of nationalization in 1982.But critics within his own party, accusing it of responsibility for "mass privatization".

Concerning the implementation of the 35 hours from the year 2000 following two laws passed in 1998 and 2000, the Minister has never hidden his opposition to the method used, even if DSK was himself originally economic program of the PS in 1997 which provided for the establishment of 35 hours of youth employment.

A socialist may go against the current

More recently, open debate on pension reform of 2010 and while DSK is already at the head of the IMF, he said there was no "dogma" on maintaining the statutory retirement age to retirement at age 60, an opposition Socialist Party's position. Another difference with his own camp: the Tobin tax. The politician has in fact been opposed to this idea, though supported by economists like Joseph Stiglitz and Lawrence Summers.

And the man who embodies the social democrats to the SP has also marked its difference in the IMF. Arriving at the head of an institution that raised questions about her future, and many critics, he managed to restructure the institution and give it a key role in the international arena, which has attracted praise from worldwide payday loans direct lenders. "The IMF has clearly become the most important international institution today," says economist Colin Bradford.

For international regulation of capitalism

In January 2008, when the crisis was still described as mild by governments, he called the major economies of the world to implement recovery plans, breaking the tradition of the post.In April 2011, he has even declared the death of the "Washington Consensus, the set of liberal doctrines which had until his arrival at the head of the institution guided measures. In fact, the theory of "structural adjustment" and the conduct of restructuring brutal and fast, Dominique Strauss-Kahn called for the "protection of the most vulnerable and the fight against inequality. Thus, under its authority, the IMF has supported the bailouts of countries in the euro area face serious problems of public deficit. The institution argued that he directed the implementation of reforms in Greece, Ireland and Portugal, but sometimes at the risk of being unpopular, particularly in Greece, where DSK may have committed some blunders.

The man, who graduated from HEC in 1971, Sciences Po and a BA in Public Law in 1972, is especially active in Europe.One of the founding fathers of the euro has indeed worked hard to save monetary union, threatened to collapse at the height of the crisis of public debts. He campaigned for solidarity between governments. In fact, convinced of the relevance of supranational governance bodies, DSK has worked for the establishment of a European budget authority that would organize solidarity between European states over the long term. But the departure of DSK to head the IMF could mark a setback to the realization of his dream to a deepening of the European Union and a supranational regulation of international capitalism.

The legacy of DSK, however, should leave an indelible mark. Several members of the institution, he claimed recently that his record is "impeccable", the IMF is now rejuvenated, powerful, and new fears.

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The restructuring announced by giant ThyssenKrupp has obviously taken over the political authorities in Germany. Christian Wulff, German Federal President, showed his annoyance by canceling his visit was to perform Sunday at the site of the new steel giant group in Brazil.

This production unit, located next to Rio de Janeiro is very important for ThyssenKrupp. It cost more than EUR 5 billion, making it the largest investment in its history. In addition, the visit must be conducted by Heinrich Hiesinger, the chairman of ThyssenKrupp. The refusal of Christian Wulff is a setback for the German group.

It is true that the political authorities, which are historically very close to the leaders of the steelmaker, may be concerned by the magnitude of the restructuring announced on Friday morning.ThyssenKrupp will sell or restructure almost a quarter of its turnover, more than 10 billion euros of business. 35,000 jobs are concerned, a little over 177,000 for the whole group.

Diversified industrial group

It's not about job cuts outright, but transfers or outsourcing. Nevertheless, all these activities are not profitable and negative consequences on employment in the future are possible. In addition, ThyssenKrupp executives have said for months that they wanted to improve their credit ratings by agencies. A will rarely compatible with social concerns guaranteed online payday loans.

The announced restructuring will not profoundly change the profile of ThyssenKrupp, which appears more like a diversified industrial group than as a pure steelmaker. In this activity, it occupies today as the twentieth largest in the world.But it is also present in the elevators, with a position of world number three, shipbuilding, automotive and construction of turnkey plants.

The new group's strategy is not to focus solely on the business of steelmaker. The announced measures do in fact only two activities: steel industry and automotive equipment. In this division, three companies, which together 2.2 billion euros in billings, will be transferred while two others, also posting 2.2 billion euros of turnover, will be met, before being eventually sold or find a partner.

The most important movement, however, concerns the branch "stainless steel", that ThyssenKrupp will transform into an independent company. This activity is the leading European, with a turnover of 5.9 billion euros.During the year ended last Sept. 30, it lost 57 million euros. Of the 35,000 people affected by restructuring the steel industry alone employs 11,000 employees. This activity is likely to be observed carefully by German politicians, because the area is known to concentrate in the coming months.

Second consecutive year of decline for the Nintendo group. The Japanese video game specialist has published annual results on Monday in freefall. Its net profit fell 66.1% to 77.6 billion yen (648 million). Its operating profit tumbled 52% to 171.1 billion yen (1.43 billion euros) in respect of the 2010-2011 year ending 31 March. Figures well below market expectations.

These poor results are explained by the slowdown in sales of the Wii home console blockbuster, but aging of Nintendo. The group has sold just over 15 million in 2010-2011, against 20.1 million the previous year. In addition, the launch of the new handheld 3DS relief was too late to be able to save the year of manufacturer.

The console manufacturer table for 2012 on the results up, but below analysts' forecasts.Nintendo says count on an operating profit of 175 billion yen for the year 2011-2012, against a consensus of 215.8 billion yen. "The market reaction should be bad," said Yusuke Tsunoda, a financial analyst at Tokai Tokyo Securities, quoted by Bloomberg. "Sales of Wii expected to drop as the group probably provides lower prices on the console."

"New Play"

The Japanese video game giant has tried to reassure. He announced the presentation of the successor to the Wii on June 7 at the electronics show in Los Angeles, E3. The group declined to give details, except that it will offer "a new way of playing at home," said CEO Satoru Iwata.

However, information already leaked to the press.Much more powerful than the Wii, it would be equipped with high definition, like its competitors Playstation 3 and Xbox 360. The Japanese group have also developed a new kind of controller, which is akin to a touch pad. One way to compete with smartphones that break into mobile video games. Nintendo's portable console, the DS has seen its sales plummet by 10 million units this year to 17.5 million.

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"French companies are literally looting!" Provides cybercriminologue Laurence Ifrah. They suffer all computer attacks. But these cases generally stifled so as not to alter their image. "Overall, worldwide, the flight data company has harmed more than one trillion dollars according to a study by McAfee, a company specializing in security computer. "France is among the most affected countries," said the specialist Symantec Norton Antivirus editor.

Strategic sectors like defense, aerospace, nuclear and all technology companies are particularly targeted. "Once an international tender was launched, espionage is taking place. Everyone tries to know the competitors' proposals, to adjust his own, "explains Laurence Ifrah.These flights also allow a "transfer" of technology at low cost.

All countries benefit

The Chinese are chronically designated as sponsors of these raids computer. According to the English equivalent of the DGSE, the MI6 contingent of engineers trained in the offensive would do well for three "Silicon Valley" of China. They carry out massive attacks and did not fear reprisals. Because it is always difficult to prove the origin of these intrusions.

They are not the only ones to steal data. All countries benefit from this golden age of intelligence information, while companies or sometimes even government services have yet to take drastic measures to protect. Because computer security is extremely restrictive. Should stop using their iPhone or BlackBerry, easily tapped.Or reduce the use of the Internet dedicated rooms within companies! It is also necessary to correct any faults computer. But maintaining the traffic slows, sometimes crippling computers. Many companies compare the cost and the risks putting off repairs.

"Anyone can copy the information in five minutes"

Thus, the pirates come from the world's most easily identified by holes. It should also be encrypted. "If the hard disk of a laptop is not encrypted, anyone can copy the information into five minutes and come away with without anyone noticing," says Bashir Mana, General Manager Europe, Middle East and Africa at Kroll, a specialist in risk management payday loans for self employed.Which concludes: "If a technology group spends less than 1% of its turnover to security, there is danger." But this is common.

Moreover, the computer circuits are not sufficiently "segmented" according to security experts. Just like the secret recipe for Coca-Cola, "we must never deliver the orders in full system to a single person." Even confidence! The data are too widely accessible to employees. The Wikileaks case and its diplomatic cables probably recovered without difficulty by a disgruntled soldier showed he does not build walls around a site to protect it, that threats also come from within. "At least 20% of information theft are caused by employees," according to computer security company Verizon.Some start with, it judging owners.

"The human is the weak link"

Others are in dispute with the company to disclose and seek revenge. Researchers at the International Centre for Comparative Criminology, Audrey Asseman and Benoît Dupont, have also started work modeling of risk factors among employees. Because "the human remains the weakest link."

Most employees become unwitting accomplices, however. Bribe or convince remains difficult, costly and risky. The new spies prefer "social engineering" to approach a target, know your Facebook friends, sign an email with a credible name known to the employee opens the unsuspecting and the book business to a Trojan ."The most effective attacks are those that are lighter and technologically the most discreet as an industry program extends over many months," says Nicolas Arpagian, scientific director of digital security ring at the National Institute of Studies of security and justice. Spies split files and schedule their departure in the day, while masses of messages flow.

These threats of espionage are now known. But in general, after a computer attack scale, the companies are reviewing their security arrangements.

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The markets are perplexed. The Cac 40, which attempted to regain the path to higher opening on Wednesday (0.53% to 3800.83 points) quickly changed his tune. At the midpoint the CAC 40 was down 0.72% to 3753.56 points.

Other European markets are also struggling: the Dax in Frankfurt Stock Exchange which had opened higher yields of 0.73% 0.08% mid-session at 6642.34 points and the London Stock Exchange which started on a slight gain of 0.10% was down 0.74% at 5653.40 points.

The operators first tried to follow the positive momentum from Asia this morning, which allowed the Japanese Nikkei to close on a technical leap of 5.68%, and led the other places in the region in the green . Intensive hunting for bargains in the indices increased in a climate a bit calmer after further intervention by the Bank of Japan (BoJ).This has injected 3.5 trillion yen Wednesday (31 billion euros) in the money market, bringing to 26,500 billion yen (234 billion) the total sum provided by the BoJ to the interbank market since Monday. But the trend remains fragile in the wake of widespread declines sessions to all European markets, and to a lesser extent, the U.S. exchanges.

The trust is indeed far from being restored while the nuclear situation in Japan remains very critical. Radioactivity measured at the entrance to the central Fukushima reached a new peak around 10:45 am local time, reported the Japanese Nuclear Safety Agency. "The level of radioactivity near the entrance varies greatly from hour to hour at levels that continue to be harmful to health," said government spokesman Yukio Edano.In addition, a strong earthquake occurred Wednesday at mid-day (this morning in Paris) east of Tokyo, where buildings have long trembled.

New flurry of indicators in the program

Markets should also keep an eye on indicators of the day, again numerous. In Europe, registrations of new cars rose 0.9% yoy in February, the first bounce after ten consecutive months of declines, according to figures released Wednesday by the European Automobile Manufacturers Association (Acea).

Inflation in the euro area rose to 2.4% in February over a year, Eurostat said Wednesday. It was 2.3% year on year in January from 2.2% in December and 1.9% in November. Rising prices rose 0.4% in February compared to January.

United States, the Labor Department will publish the price index for production at 13.30.At the same time will the housing starts and the balance of current accounts. Finally, at 15:30 will be published weekly petroleum stocks.

On the currency markets, the euro has stabilized at 1.3977 dollar.

Values ​​to follow

As for values, securities directly or indirectly exposed to catastrophe Japanese started to fall again after regaining some colors in early trading. LVMH fell by 0.87% to 103.03 euros and Hermes of 1.13% to 144.05 euros.Only the investment certificate Areva bounced 2.85% to 29.62 euros after its tumble over the last three sessions.

EDF: -0.49% to 28.42 euros

The electrician French and Italian A2a confirmed Tuesday the six-month extension of their shareholder pact in Edison to take the time to reach agreement on the restructuring of their partnership.

In addition, the group is preparing to send "teams" and "equipment" in Japan to help the company Tokyo Electric Power (TEPCO), which operates the nuclear plant in Fukushima, cope with the consequences of the tsunami, said Wednesday the company's CEO, Henri Proglio on RTL.

L'Oreal: + 0.41% to 78.40 euros

The president of Yves Saint Laurent Beauté, a subsidiary of LVMH, told Reuters that his company intends to almost double its turnover in five years to reach the one billion euros, thanks to the lever Asian and climb well the club of top five global brands of cosmetics.

Alstom: + 0.50% to 38 euros

The CEO of Alstom, Patrick Kron, said he still opposed the entry of Mitsubishi Heavy Industries in the capital of Areva.

Renault: + 0.31% to 37.67 euros

The money paid by the manufacturer to pay the false information intended to support the charges of espionage brought against three of its executives has been partially solved in a Swiss bank account opened by one of his security guards, shackled Duck wrote on Wednesday.

Note that the manufacturer has sales up 2.8% in February over a year, according to figures of registrations of the European Union. For his part, Peugeot (2.48% to 27.22 euros) sees his own shrink by 5%.

BNP Paribas: -2.21% to 50.81 euros, Societe Generale: -2.12% to 44.83 euros

The banks are down sharply after Moody's lowered the rating on Tuesday night in Portugal two notches to "A3" with negative outlook, raising fears about sovereign debt of countries known as peripheral euro area.

Bollore is optimistic

Bourbon: -5.37% to 32.01 euros

The group released Wednesday 2010 earnings fell sharply, mainly because of difficult market conditions, but the group estimated that the average utilization rate of its fleet to continue to improve gradually.

Transgene: -4.83% to 11.23 euros

The group referred to tackle 2011 with confidence even though the French biotechnology company has continued to widen its loss in 2010 and some of his projects have been delayed.

Mersen: 33.64 EUR -3.25 EUR

The group said Wednesday expect for 2011 a slight improvement in profitability and renewed growth, albeit slow, its sales from the electronics and solar energy.

Bolloré: + 1.18% to 154.15 euros

The group reported a 40% increase in operating profit in 2010 thanks to its growing transport business, logistics and port handling.

Zodiac Aerospace: + 1.62% to 47.72 euros

The group raised its revenue forecast for 2010-2011 after a second quarter better than expected thanks to the recovery of the aviation sector.

EPA will report on its February traffic. Ruby, Stallergenes and Boiron reveal their annual results after market close.

Xynthia is not a name as the Vendee and Charente-Maritime are nearly forgotten. The storm that hit the French Atlantic coast on the night of 27 to 28 February 2010, has killed 47 people, including 29 in the only common Vendée La Faute-sur-mer and Osten-sur-mer .

The CGT has accepted a compromise. The union, all-powerful in the ports of France, conceded that the early retirement of port workers increased to two years instead of four. But the mode of application, scope and funding of the agreement have not yet been released.

Negotiations between EU ports of France and the National Union of Industrial and handling on one side and the CGT on the other forward, but it was not until next Wednesday to discover their content. "An important step was taken, but no agreement has yet been concluded," accurate, careful, a negotiator.Secretary of State for Transport is more enthusiastic: "I welcome the draft agreement taking shape," said Thierry Mariani Friday.

After four days of talks described as "intensive" by the CGT federation for ports and docks, all welcomed "the willingness of all parties to end the crisis," the CGT said yesterday in a statement business card.

The activity of French ports has been paralyzed for over a month by social movements on the recognition of the arduous work in the early departure to the retirement of certain categories of dockworkers.

Strikes suspended

In late October, the employers had given an agreement for early retirement four years. But after the pension reform, the government asked to review this agreement on the basis of two years of anticipation.The CGT said yesterday "welcomed the recognition of the difficult trade port repaired by early termination of two years." It also suspends strike action. But it adds a focus on the monopoly of the CGT in ports, denounced the left and right. According to the federation, "diversity and pluralism are the union bosses."

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Summit a few hours of the opening of the summit of finance ministers of the 20 richest countries on earth – Friday and Saturday in Paris – the negotiations are intensifying behind the scenes. Berlin has made several gestures of good will on Wednesday, indicating the voice of a senior official of the Ministry of Finance argued that Germany "active efforts of the French presidency." The change is noticeable on one of the flagship projects of Paris, which would result, by Saturday evening, a common definition of economic indicators to be shared within the G20.Last November, in Seoul, the U.S. Treasury Secretary Tim Geithner, had struck the Germans and the Chinese hostile to his proposal to limit to 4% deficit or surplus in the current account.

"Do not stigmatize the poor performers

Berlin now seems more open to this question, suggesting that an agreement could take place during the weekend. According to German government sources, the G20 countries have compiled a list of five indicators to measure imbalances: the current account balance, real exchange rates, budget deficits and debt, foreign reserves and rates of private savings. "It is likely that the ministers approved" list of indicators of economic performance, thermometer, the source said. Berlin considers that these indicators will be "to enjoy in their entirety, and in association with each other.However, Germany remains opposed to what the G20 sets quantitative targets specific to each country. Paris did not intend at first. "Fall first agree on the indicators, then it will be great to spend time each country to the screen, taking care not to stigmatize the poor performers," says Christine Lagarde, French Minister of Economy.

The United States, for now, are more reserved. "It was expected that during the first half of 2011, the IMF identifies those indicators. Then, during the following months, as we proceed to evaluate them … We should, in Paris, have an additional discussion on this topic at the technical level. But there will be no agreement so early in the year, "says one Washington.Tim Geithner should show booked, also on the question of regulation of commodity markets, the second major project led by France. "We are in ac cord to strengthen market mechanisms, but not to supplant the market," says one Treasury recalling that in the Dodd-Frank legislation on financial regulation (adopted last year) are already provisions helping regulators to ensure that markets are not manipulated.

On this question, France will find Brazil on its way. "Brazil is totally opposed to the mechanism of control or regulate the prices of commodities," said Finance Minister Guido Mantega during a press conference.He warned that even these measures could "adversely" by curbing supply.

Latest issue of potential conflict, the issue of currency, although it seems less sensitive that a few weeks. "Since the announcement by China of a gradual adjustment of the parity of the yuan, we see a bilateral real appreciation against the dollar at an annual rate equivalent to 10% … So yes, there is progress, but the Chinese currency is always underestimated, "admits one American side.

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Deprived of power in Egypt, Hosni Mubarak could soon be as his property. Barely half an hour after the announcement of the resignation of the Pharaoh, or at 17:30 on Friday, the Swiss government announced it was blocking all funds that may belong to the Egyptian president and his family in Switzerland. The Federal Council has issued an order to that effect asking the Swiss banks to search for and freeze the assets of the clan Mubarak. According to the Swiss National Bank in late 2009, the Egyptian deposits on accounts in Switzerland reached 3.6 billion Swiss francs (2.27 billion euros).

"President Hosni Mubarak has resigned today after weeks of mass protests. The Federal Council took note of this evolving situation, "it said in the text.The assets of Mubarak and his entourage were blocked with "immediate effect" and the order is "valid for three years," says the Federal Council. "In addition, the sale and disposal of assets – including property – belonging to such persons are prohibited. The Federal Council intends to take all necessary measures to prevent any possible misuse of public funds. "

London wants action "concerted"

For its part, the British Minister of Trade, Vince Cable, said Sunday that any assets held abroad by Egyptian President should be a "concerted international action." "I did not know he had huge assets here, but we have no doubt that there is an international action on this issue," he told the BBC1 channel, in response to a question about the possible presence of some of these assets in the United Kingdom, raised by the local press."It makes no sense for a government to act alone, but we must look into the matter payday loan. It also depends on how these assets were acquired, "added the minister.

Vince Cable has also warned that British banks the government would take action against any institution that would help the former Egyptian president to transfer funds. "One of the tasks which the Government has been working since coming to power is to terminate the operations of tax evasion on behalf of their clients, companies or individuals," he argues.

Between 40 and 70 billion

According to experts cited in the Middle East by the British newspaper Guardian, the Mubarak family fortune is estimated at between 40 and 70 billion dollars (29.5 and 51.7 billion euros).It would be divided as such: $ 15 billion for Hosni Mubarak, one billion to his wife Suzanne, eight billion for his eldest son, Alaa, and 17 billion for his second son, Gamal. By comparison, the couple's Ben Ali is estimated at five billion dollars, as ranked by Forbes magazine. And that of the richest man in the United States, Bill Gates, to 54 billion.

The Algerian newspaper Al Khabarprécise his side much of the wealth of Mubarak would be deposited in banks or invested in real estate. The Mubarak family would own and outside of Egypt, properties in the United States, Great Britain (whose son and mother hold the nationality), France, Switzerland, Germany, Spain and Dubai .Finally, two son, Gamal and Alaa created and taken stakes in many companies in Europe and the United States.

(With agencies)

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