International Headlines and Stories

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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"SPECIAL – Tunisia, Egypt … Revolts in the Arab world

Egypt is safer. After the violent demonstrations against Mubarak in recent days, the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs recommends to "defer all travel" to the non-emergency countries. One can read in the Travel section of the site of the Quai d'Orsay that "French people there are asked to limit their movements to a minimum and to stay away from crowds."

Accordingly, the National Union of Travel Agencies (SNAV) said on Sunday suspended all departures vacationers "until further notice." Notably, "there will be no departures tomorrow (Monday)," said Georges Colson, chairman of the professional organization. For clients on site, they "extend their stay and return without incident happen normally. Charter flights are parties to seek empty of customers.There was no notable incident. "Toursits Nearly 1,000 French are still in the country. They were 4,000 in the beginning of the weekend, according to tour operators.

Customers affected by the suspension of departures "may defer travel free at a later date on Egypt or any other destination programmed by the tour operator, has previously provided the Centre for the Study of tour operators (CETO) in a statement quick payday loan.

By Friday evening, the French tour operators have suspended all departures scheduled this weekend to Egypt, following a request from French Foreign nationals "limit" their movements in this country. In 2010, 600,000 French surrendered in Egypt. Belgian tour operators have also decided on Saturday to suspend departures until Monday included.They do not plan to repatriate their customers already there.

Contagion events in North Africa has enough to worry the French tour operators. Tunisia is the first travel destination of the French, ahead of Morocco and Egypt.

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The three executives involved in the alleged espionage case that shook Renault have little to burnish their slow response. Pounding their innocence in this obscure record that they provide not understand a word, Jean-Michel Balthazar, Executive Committee member, and Matthew Tenenbaum, Number 2 electric vehicle department, announced a complaint for "malicious prosecution".

Bertrand Rochette, director of advanced vehicle projects, has meanwhile cons-attacked earlier this week through a quotation in undisclosed libel. "Inspired by a true patriotism business, my client is a product of automobile manufacturer for which he has worked since the age of 19 years and who has paid his engineering before becoming a rising star, Figaro confessed Thursday to Mr. Thibault de Montbrial, the board of Matthew Tenenbaum.In this case without evidence, we are reduced to hypotheses: either Renault has been the target of a real spy would have liked to be covered by a diversion by wearing the hat to one or more scapegoats. Or, in a context of economic warfare, someone tried to convince leaders that some of their executives were compromised for Renault to lead to part to destabilize the company. "

System of bribes, kickbacks

"In this kind of espionage, one is obliged to observe the utmost restraint on the evidence available," said John Reinhart, the lawyer for Renault. He sweeps the other hand the thesis of a destabilization attempt by Renault that it could be "collateral damage" of a manipulation that is the manufacturer in order to disrupt a strategic project.Defender Renault evokes this "duplication of information in recent months." For his part, Pierre-Olivier Sur, one of two lawyers Michel Balthazar, said his client's discretion: "We remain silent, because for now, it's word against word fast cash loans. However, in a case like this, there must be evidence. "

Two weeks after the unearthing of the scandal that rocks the diamond brand, sources familiar with the matter questioned increasingly as the improbabilities peppering the back are many. Indeed, the bill for 50,000 euros required to conduct investigations sprawling seems ridiculously low in the eyes of professionals.Moreover, the private investigator should explain how he managed the feat of "dismantling" a few weeks an alleged system of bribes sophisticated organized from China, via a series of intermediaries, leading to accounts in Switzerland and Lichtenstein. On Thursday, the head of the pharmacy mystery expected to be heard by the Central Directorate of Internal Security (DCRI), as several officials of the Directorate of Protection of the board.

For its part, Renault does not change communication strategy. Carlos Ghosn, CEO of the manufacturer, "who has personally followed the case from the beginning," the group says, will certainly speak for the first time on this story Sunday night. But no new revelation is waiting for his intervention.It should reaffirm that the internal investigation "has brought together sufficient evidence to conclude that grave acts" committed by the three executives charged, which justified their dismissal. Carlos Ghosn also focus on the fact that now "we must let justice work," says one internally. The group says "being in permanent" with the secret services so that "the investigation forward as quickly as possible." A spokesman added that the group can not "legally" at this stage to submit evidence of the guilt of three executives because "it is for justice to do so" when the time comes.

The French market for online advertising has taken over the colors in 2010. Advertisers have increased their net investment of 9% to 2.3 billion euros, according to the Observatory of the e-pub conducted by Capgemini Consulting for Union Boards Internet (SRI). Better still, the market is expected to accelerate its growth in 2011 to grow by 12% and well on course to cross $ 2.5 billion invested.

The market remains dominated by the search, that is to say the purchase of keywords and sponsored links on search engines. The format has increased by 9% to 960 million euros. But – and this is a surprise – advertising graphics (or display) grew faster. Drawn by the growth of video and special operations, these investments rose 12% to 540 million euros net.An unexpected recovery when in 2009 due to the advertising crisis, the display seemed doomed for the benefit of mechanisms favoring performance.

Mobile advertising is growing slowly but surely

In 2010, affiliation (+15%) and comparators (+19%) continued to benefit from the booming online trade. Mobile, yet modest in value with 27 million euros, sees continued growth through the adoption of smartphones and earns 23% a year.

The market has also benefited from the arrival of new advertisers – sectors of luxury, clothing or consumer goods.It displays a cover and reassuring compared to 2009, where growth had slowed sharply, from 23% in 2008 to 6%.

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In recent days, the Southern Mediterranean flames. Tunisia faces a revolt spontaneous social and Algeria is experiencing food riots with soaring food prices. The price of sugar, flour and cereals have jumped from 20 to 30%. A kilo of sugar was worth 70 dinars there are few (72 cents), today bought 150 dinars (1.50 euro) when a driver earns about 800 dinars a day (8.40 euros).

These two movements take root in a soil of very high social inequalities, and despite an economic environment that is recovering from the crisis. Tunisia and Algeria are expected to grow by 3.8% in 2010, and respectively 4.8% and 4% in 2011, according to the International Monetary Fund. The country of Zine el-Abidine Ben Ali took advantage of his openness to the outside and the return of international trade.That of President Abdelaziz Bouteflika takes advantage of rising oil prices on which it depends very strongly.

Oil and unemployment

"That is the paradox: Algeria has a oil revenues but is experiencing food riots," denounces Assidon Zion, member of the board of Transparency International, an NGO fighting against corruption. Tunisia and Algeria suffer one another as a LTU. At first, it reached 13.3%, and many more among the young graduates, says the IMF in a report. In Algeria, the unemployment rate was 10%. But it should not be relied upon. "Hard to believe the numbers, the statistics are skewed by the leaders," said Mokhtar Lakehal, an economist at Sciences Po Paris.

Measures have yet been taken out of the crisis. The Algerian government officials increased by 30% in 2010.A firefighter earns around 14,175 dinars per month, or 148 euros (2008 figures from the International Labour Organization) paperless payday loans. It has established a five-year plan focuses on infrastructure development and employment with 286 billion dollars.

Financed by oil exports, "this represents 180% of gross domestic product (GDP), although some come from unspent funds from previous program," said Jesus Castillo, an economist at Natixis. Still, the Algerian economy is not diversified enough. She can not offer enough jobs for its ever growing number of youth (its population is still growing). Worse, the plan would most benefit foreign companies that employ few local.

Emigration blocked

Before the crisis, Tunisia and Algeria enjoyed two "valves". One is still there: the informal economy.The activity that escapes taxes represent between 40 and 60% of GDP. The second loophole, emigration, has instead disappeared. "In recent years, Europe has closed its border to young North African and Gulf countries have done the same for two or three years," says Mokhtar Lakehal. In addition, "there is a State capture by a family in Tunisia, and by a minority close to the government in Algeria that divert resources to their gains," describes Assidon Zion.

The rebellions of recent days they gave change? "The outcry from the Tunisian lawyers means that the model Ben Ali, who promoted a minimum middle class is in the process to fail," Zion Assidon trusts. Mokhtar Lakehal is more pessimistic: "They are epiphenomena. Protesters will be beaten, arrested the leaders and people in a month will return to their occupations.But the pot continue to boil. "

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China comes to the aid of the euro. She is preparing to buy 4 to 5 billion euros of debt Portuguese State, the daily Jornal de Negocios Lusitanian. Beijing will be committed to carry out these purchases during the first half of 2011, says the newspaper, without citing sources.

Such an operation would contribute significantly to lower interest rates on debt Portuguese in Lisbon and would continue to finance its debt normally. The European Central Bank (ECB) is currently the strategy of debt repurchase in peripheral countries (Greece, Portugal, Ireland) to prevent a surge in market rates.

The information in the Jornal de Negocios comes in the wake of statements of support from Beijing. Vice-Premier Wang Qishan said China was ready to support the extraordinary measures for countries in trouble like Greece or Portugal."It is in the fundamental interests of China and the EU to further strengthen their cooperation," said Deputy Prime Minister.

Promises to Greece

China has already come to the aid of Europe's sick of his debts in recent months. According to market observers, it would have bought two months ago the Spanish government bonds for a hundred million. She also pledged to buy bonds when Athens Greek return on the market to raise funds. Finally, she assured Portugal that his support during a visit last month. Without specifying whether she intended to buy Treasury securities Portuguese.

"Beijing expresses support to the European Union and from the moment she made a gesture, it reinforces market confidence, regardless of the amount invested," analyst Xu Bei, an economist at Natixis overnight pay day loans. China has the means.It must put in huge trade surpluses, accumulating at a rate of some 10 billion dollars (7.6 billion euros) per month. It places the majority of these funds in dollars, the United States, but seeks to diversify its portfolio. Today, between 20% and 30% is invested in euros, according to Xu Bei.

"Winning margin trading"

"When China buys bonds from the Greek State, she knows she can lose money, but it's less distracting than other investors: it knows it would save him at the same time trading margins as creditor, "Yves Bonzon analysis, investment manager at Pictet.

Help Europe, but also for China to help his main client. The EU is the leading destination for Chinese exports and the second trade partner after the United States.

To help the ailing European states, China is also investing directly in their economies. Highly publicized decision, Beijing has injected 3.4 billion euros in the port of Piraeus in 2008. Chinese direct investment surged 280% in 2009. But they still represent an average of only 3.35 billion dollars a year, a total of 50 billion invested abroad. China is not still buy in Europe.

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