The Internet giant strikes another blow. Google announced an update to its search engine in the U.S. who will soon be extended to the world, to refine and contextualize his responses. To make, in short, more in tune with reality, according to the ambition of the group. So you type "taj mahal"? Google offers, in a box right, to limit the results to the famous Indian monument, a singer using this pseudonym or a casino in New Jersey of the same name. Also new is learned as well as the results page of Google as the Taj Mahal is a white marble mausoleum located in Agra, India, it opened in 1648 and it is 174 meters high. Research "Taj Mahal" is associated with that of "Ustad Ahmad Lahauri," the name of the architect of the monument.

"This is not just a catalog of objects is a presentation of the relationships between them. One is understanding between these different elements is the key, "says Amit Singhal, Google's vice president. To add to these changes a lighter note, Google will also offer information on the unusual subject of research. Consequence: the user can get answers to their questions without leaving the Google page.

Behind these new features lies a technology: the "graph of knowledge," or "knowledge graph", "built to understand the real things of the world," says an official from Google, Ben Gomes payday advances. The group has worked there since the acquisition in 2010, the company specializes in managing Metaweb database of movies, books, companies or celebrities. Thus, Google has learned, and quickly: from Freebase, Wikipedia or the CIA World Factbook, the giant has registered 500 million objects, places, characters and memorized some 3.5 billion relations between them.

Update Bing last week

In parallel, the group has expanded his knowledge on user searches. Google has announced in January new privacy policy to share user accounts on all its sites (like Gmail and Youtube). A change that is controversial and will be subject, in France, a meeting with the CNIL next week to clarify the new rules.

The goal for Google is taking another step ahead to face competing search engines, starting with Bing Microsoft announced last week its largest update since its launch three years ago. Among the new Bing strengthens its integration within the social network Facebook, which Microsoft is a shareholder. According to the firm Comscore, Google has widened its lead over its competitors, concentrating 66.4% of online searches in the U.S. in April, against 65.7% a year earlier. Well ahead of the 15.3% posted by Bing and 13.7% for Yahoo!.

The sector paris horse on the Internet is officially open to competition since June 2010 and saw sustained growth, unlike that of paris sports on the Internet, significant drop in over a year. Zeturf, founded and directed by Emmanuel de Rohan-Chabot, pulls out of the game with 25 million euros in gross proceeds from games and 26 employees. "We save 180 million euros of issues, but we thank the players much as winnings. That's why we come to 25 million euros in proceeds from the games, "he says credit report.

Expert in high data availability and information security, Zeturf puts all its information technology service to punters, one of whose characteristics is to concentrate their challenges on the last minutes before the races.  

"There are very powerful effects of peaks in races like the Arc de Triomphe or the President's Award of the Republic, with the entire population of bettors who are concentrated in a few moments."

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Public hospitals are not so bad, that is the situation of their banks might damage. That, in broad strokes, the picture painted in its annual rating … by Dexia Credit Local, former first sector bank being dismantled.

The deficit in French hospitals reached 220 million euros in 2010. That sounds a lot but the amount represents only 0.3% of their budgets. Excluding appendices generally accounts surplus – long stay, retirement homes, nursing schools, real estate … – care, "heart-to" hospitals, loses 470 million (0.8% of budget). A stable amount of improvement after two years. 2011 should be in the same waters: a somewhat wider scope, including both private non-profit institutions, the government announced an initial estimate of 504 million deficit, against 508 million in 2010.

These figures make it unlikely that the return to balance this year, wanted by Nicolas Sarkozy. However, they reflect "the efforts by hospitals to control their staff costs," says Claire Bouinot, Dexia Credit Local. Because their revenues have increased by only 2% in 2010, the lowest increase for over ten years. Moreover, 300 hospitals "only" are in deficit (-600 million euros), others are in balance or in surplus (380 million).

The year 2010 also marks a break: after a decade of growth, investment by hospitals fell almost 5%, to $ 6.5 billion. They are expected to decline again in 2011 and slightly more strongly in 2012 payday loan. The 2007 Hospital Plan which, in "looping" financial arrangements with state subsidies, led to the partial solution to the obsolescence of French institutions, has expired. It "does not appear in the same volumes relayed by the Hospital Plan 2012", Claire Bouinot analysis.

But above all, co-financing of investments by banks, which was almost closed eyes until 2008, has become extremely difficult. Not that the banks fear increased risk: 24.1 billion, the debt reached "6.2 years of cash flow, a normal level," says Andrew Baker, director of studies of Dexia Credit Local.

But Dexia, precisely, which gave almost half of the loans to hospitals, this activity has slowed since 2008 and early 2012 has completely frozen, waiting to know his fate. And "among our competitors in the public sector, foreign banks have disappeared, savings bank, Credit Mutuel, Crédit Agricole and Societe Generale reduce the wing," says Andre Boulanger. Standards requiring them to strengthen their balance sheets and low earnings generated by public clients explain this decline.

Nothing serious immediate for most hospitals, which merely postpone investments. But much more worrying a small minority of them, including fifty hospitals "in a particularly difficult situation, where the operation consumes cash instead of generating," pointed to by Claire Bouinot.

]]> http://naturalandbest.com/hospitals-drop-their-investment/feed/ 0 http://naturalandbest.com/virgin-farm-one-to-one-of-its-retail-stores/ http://naturalandbest.com/virgin-farm-one-to-one-of-its-retail-stores/#comments Thu, 29 Mar 2012 12:16:04 +0000 admin http://naturalandbest.com/virgin-farm-one-to-one-of-its-retail-stores/  

The distributor sells one to one of its retail stores (3 000 to 5 000 m2), all located in the shopping streets of major cities. "In most cases, assignment of lease rights or collection of an indemnity or compensation allows both reduce costs and generate an exceptional income," says one expert. However, competitors and suppliers are worried about a possible exit from the market in the wake of closures of outlets the most visible, vital to the store's reputation. Especially since Virgin sells very little through its website: only "a few percent of sales" line, according to management, against 11% for FNAC.

The Bordeaux Merignac store closed early 2011, the Carrousel du Louvre in late January, one in Saint-Denis in the beginning. The Virgin of Metz should lower the curtain end of June and the date of closing of that of Toulouse was not communicated to employees. The brand sold at Fnac location of 3000 m2 that it had reserved in the future shopping center Beaugrenelle. Last year, his competitor had already convinced Lagardère Services to undertake the small stores in stations and airports, since renamed Fnac. The future of the flagship Champs-Elysees is uncertain. Virgin charge of real estate firms to find a buyer for his lease.

A new store model

Despite this dramatic reduction in wing, Jean-Louis Raynard, CEO of Virgin Stores, assures to look for ways "to restart the sales payday loan lenders." In 2011, sales were "slightly" decreased to about 300 million euros, while the goal of returning to profitability, fixed by its shareholder, the fund Butler Capital, has not been reached. The sign is positioned on "high-growth segments, such as helmets, but their contribution is still insufficient," admitted the manager, who also spoke of "a new store model, smaller, more segmented with an offer and a greater role for digital. " Virgin had to test its new store format before summer. Since the date of presentation of this "new strategy" has been postponed twice. It is now scheduled for early May "an establishment in the first site at the end of the year." In the meantime, Virgin will open at the mall from the Gare Saint-Lazare, probably in the coming days. It will not surprise the customer by its small size (965 m2), because the offer has not been reviewed

.

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Starbucks is more determined than ever to tackle Nespresso. The U.S. coffee chain announced the launch before next summer vacation an espresso coffee machine equipped with a high pressure extraction system. The high-end system, called verismo, was designed in partnership with the German group Krüger. It will work with the Starbucks brand capsules.

Verismo will, initially, sold online, in a selection of chain restaurants and in specialized distributors, while the United States, Canada and "certain international markets." No details were given about the distribution strategy of the capsules (the Internet, in supermarkets …) and their prices.

"France is one of the markets under consideration, such as England or Germany in Europe, said Olivier de Mendez, director of marketing France. But for now, the agreement concerns only the U.S. and Canada. "

"The coffee segment fastest growing"

This launch marks a new stage in the desire for conquest driven by Howard Schultz, CEO of Starbucks, which took over the reins of the company in 2008. Recently asked by Le Figaro (our editions of March 3), he did not want hidden stick as closely to the expectations of customers, wherever they are. In town, in malls, but also "in stations, airports, restaurants, trains and hotels."

The founder will therefore also continue to their home, with this offer premium caps, a growing market. "This segment is the one with the strongest growth in the coffee sector," explains Howard Schultz. "At group level, this is an important innovation that allows people to replicate the Starbucks experience at home, says Olivier de Mendez. The machine will make espresso, latte, coffee and coffee filters lying. "" We now have the opportunity to reach millions of consumers, "commented Jeff Hansberry, in charge of developing distribution channels.

Years ago that Starbucks is trying to sell his coffee out of his own restaurants. A strategy not so easy to implement. The chain, which was allied with Kraft to sell coffee in bags in supermarkets, became angry with the giant global agribusiness and broke the partnership.

Record results last year

In March 2011, Starbucks announced an alliance with the first Keurig and Green Mountain in the machinery sector and pods. This agreement resulted in development since November Keurig machines offering drinks Starbucks in grocery stores and supermarkets. 100 million pods were sold, according to Starbucks. But Keurig machines are low pressure, which does not allow them to make espresso. They offer five different varieties of coffee, but only filter, and two teas.

The announcement of the new agreement between Starbucks and Krüger caused a plunge in stock prices from Green Mountain this weekend. The boss of Starbucks has yet assured that this partnership remained "solid". The stock market especially liked his strategy of moving upmarket. Last year, the company announced record results, and she is determined to put a boost in Europe.

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While the first three mobile operators declared war on the new entrant Free, France Telecom unveiled details of its contract with the fourth operator. The CEO of France Telecom, parent company of Orange, Stéphane Richard said in an interview with Les Echos that the roaming agreement signed with him rent for Free mobile network will report "significantly higher revenue than the original one billion euros" .  

The CEO of the operator partly owned public does not advance on a possible extension of the current contract with free-roaming covering communications for second and third generation-the new 4G standard that will provide mobile users transmission capacity comparable to cable.

Under fire from other operators who feel like Jean-Bernard Levy, CEO of Vivendi and SFR, Orange has offered "the best technological conditions" to Free Stéphane Richard replies that her group has not make gifts to the new entrant. He said that "it is not the economic conditions of homelessness that make attractive offers Free. The controller and the CEO of Iliad, do not they also said that the financial conditions of homelessness clearly incited Free Mobile to invest in its own network? "Stephane Richard also ensures that employees France Telecom is aware "that the contract with free roaming, the recipes for it (…) provides, will partly offset the negative effects of the arrival of the fourth operator in the market." Free delighted 400,000 in Orange, and all operators in a month and a half only, Free Mobile has attracted 1.5 million customers, according to estimates by Stéphane Richard, Free for now refuses to confirm.

Finally, Stephane Richard said he was "quite shocked" by the statements of the President of ARCEP, encouraging operators to draw conclusions from the arrival of Free and reduce costs. The CEO of France Telecom wonders if this is "an invitation to make redundancies, when one tries to save manufacturing jobs throughout the territory," or of "an incentive to share infrastructure. " A track he considers "paradoxical."

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Premiere in prime time. Sunday night on TF1, between the news of Claire Chazal and the film Asterix, the display advertising will be fully reserved for a movie three and a half minutes, signed Cartier. There is no question of a campaign for a classic perfume, a ring or a watch. The short film, called The Odyssey and devoid of any slogan, many references to the history of Cartier and its flagship products. Starting from the Grand Palais in Paris, a panther toured the world, gliding sleigh on the frozen Neva at the foot of the Hermitage Museum, St. Petersburg, from the Chinese wall in the palace of a Maharajah India, jumping on the "14 bis" of the aviator Alberto Santos-Dumont, before returning to the Place Vendome. Two years of work were needed for this film, a budget of 4 million euros.

"No question of resting on its laurels"

Flagship of the South African group Richemont, the world number two luxury (Van Cleef, Piaget, Montblanc, Lancel, Dunhill …), Cartier the jeweler is certainly already the world's most popular and favorite luxury brand of the Chinese. But no question of resting on its laurels. "We always want to go further, do better, we stand out from other luxury brands and the desirability of maintaining the highest Cartier for eternity," says Bernard Fornas, CEO of the company, to justify the first institutional campaign this magnitude in the luxury sector. This will be deployed in 29 countries around the world.

"With this film, we wanted to strongly reaffirm the myth Cartier, make a mural that film foregrounds its history, its values ​​of creativity, elegance and refinement, his inspirations, his artistic dimension and universal, continues the boss payday loans in one hour. We want to show that this house is the opposite of fashion, fleeting. We are located on the side of the timeless. When they create, develop and manufacture, our teams are not even thinking. Our products are designed for life, not for a few seasons. "

History of jewelery

The Odyssey is an allegory of the history of Cartier. The muse of the film is a panther, icon of the jeweler since 1904, rather than a woman. The house designs are present on some shots, "but only in a subliminal way, says Bernard Fornas. The Odyssey is a way to reassert the French genius of Cartier style. We were the first to the Art Deco style we invented the Tutti Frutti and garlands. With 1300 pieces of Cartier private collection, one can tell the story of jewelery. "No question, of course, that this campaign replaces ads for classic perfumes, and jewelry Cartier rings. "This is an umbrella campaign on the brand, designed to create dreams," says Bernard Fornas. Cartier still spend 5 to 10% of its budget worldwide media buying with different versions of this film. The film will be released in the cinema, a 45-second version will follow on TV, and the Publicis agency will organize relay on YouTube, Facebook and Twitter. One way to Cartier, instantly find global relay and multiply the effectiveness of traditional media campaign.

"We set the bar high for other luxury homes that would highlight their" legend ", if indeed they have one in," says Bernard Fornas.

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After a difficult 2009, craftsmen and traders have redressed the head in 2010. According to the Federation approved management centers (FCGA), who analyzed 77 occupations in 11 industries, their average turnover increased by 0.9% this year to reach 249,500 euros and operating profit of 2.1%, to 34,280 euros. But all does not show the same performance. The craftsmen in the building went through a dark period, while five sectors did better than others.

Topping the growth of sales, services are needed in the lead with a 3.3% increase (120,700 euros) through real estate agencies whose activities (167,000 euros) recorded the largest increase ( 11%) of 77 occupations analyzed.

Transportation come next, with 3.2% for an average turnover of 116,000 euros. Freight carriers get the best improvements, with an increase of 3.5% of sales (174,000 euros). But only 34% of them give off an income above 26,000 euros cash advance. The paramedics are doing well, with a turnover (395,000 euros) up 3.4%. Two-thirds of them emit a higher operating profit at 39000 euros.

In coffee shops, hotels (2.9%), the pancake houses boast the highest growth with 6% for sales (162,300 euros) and earnings (35,855 euros) in improvement of 9.1% . The breweries were up 4.3%, 3.1% of the pizzerias and hotels by 3.2%.

In automotive (+2.9%), body builders have a turnover (257,600 euros), up 5.2%. But independent stations showed a fall of 5.1% of their earnings. In health care, pharmacists have reached the highest earnings of 77 occupations, with 125,260 euros for an average turnover of 1,423,500 euros. Opticians have improved by 5.8% their earnings, which reached almost 70,000 euros for a turnover of 334,400 euros. Dental technicians have improved their earnings (47,340 euros) only 1.1%.

After two years of strong gains and at times breathtaking, the property prices have stalled throughout France in late 2011. This real slowdown was reflected in the fourth quarter by a stable house prices (+0.1%), according to INSEE statistics, released Thursday. And over one year, prices have increased by "only" 4.3% on average (6.7% for apartments and 2.6% for houses), after increasing 8.5% in 2010 .

However, in the Ile-de-France, the most populated region of France, the annual price increases remained spectacular. It reached 10.6% on average in the départements (small and large crown). And 14.7% in central Paris (after a surge of 17.5% in 2010!). In the capital, house prices have reached new highs in the fourth quarter, with an average price per square meter to 8,390 euros, according to the Chamber of Notaries of Paris-Ile de France.

In seven out of twenty arrondissements, prices even exceed the symbolic threshold of 10,000 euros per square meter. Certain transac-tions go far beyond. On the Champs-Elysees, a 150 m2 apartment has been sold 40,000 euros per square meter in 2011! This new outbreak is partly explained by the low number of Parisian apartments sold (down 14% in the fourth quarter versus the same period of 2010), note notaries. But, "it seems that the trees reach the sky," warns Christian Lefebvre, president of the Chamber of Notaries of Paris-Ile de France, noting a change in trend at the end of last year one hour payday loan. "Over the last three months of 2011, prices are almost stable and in Paris (0.2%). In nine districts, they even declined, "says Thierry Delesalle, notary in Paris.

A correction of 5 to 10% expected

This small market downturn continued in the early years, as evidenced by the preliminary contracts signed in January 8250 euros per square meter on average, according to the Chamber of Notaries. Same thing in other towns in Ile-de-France, where prices began to fall slightly in the fourth quarter of 2011 (-0.7% in the inner suburbs and outer suburbs -0.9%).

"For the first time in years," the Paris notaries anticipate a price decline of 5 to 10% across the region, Paris included. "But this break with the long bull cycle will only be sustainable if new construction is accelerating sustainable in Ile-de-France for several years," they warn. In the rest of France, prices are expected to experience the same slope. Fnaim and notaries as well expect a correction of 5 to 15% on average this year. While some banks have tightened their credit terms and that many households are less confident in their future professionals expect lower sales. Especially since many French have anticipated in late 2011 several devices (PTZ + in the old, lower benefits Scellier …): 828,000 sales have been made between October 2010 and September 2011. High numbers, up 12% year on year.

]]> http://naturalandbest.com/real-estate-prices-should-fall-in-2012/feed/ 0 http://naturalandbest.com/japan-could-help-the-euro-area/ http://naturalandbest.com/japan-could-help-the-euro-area/#comments Thu, 23 Feb 2012 12:20:05 +0000 admin http://naturalandbest.com/japan-could-help-the-euro-area/  

After heavily involved in fundraising efforts of the firewall in the euro area, Japan is preparing to support its European partners. The country plans to provide up to $ 50 billion International Monetary Fund (IMF) to enable the institution to help the euro area to cope with the crisis, AFP reported citing an official from the Japanese Ministry of Finance. "Japan considers the precise amount that will provide the IMF," said the official who also spoke up to $ 50 billion, confirming information reported by the newspaper Asahi Shimbun. The exact involvement of Japan to raise funds from the IMF will be announced following a meeting of finance ministers and central bank governors of the G20 which takes place on 25 and 26 February in Mexico City.

However, Japan is not ready to sign a blank check. In a joint forum in the Financial Times, Chancellor of the Exchequer George Osborne and his Japanese counterpart Jun Azumi indicates that their countries are willing to increase their contributions to the International Monetary Fund but only on condition that the euro area strengthens its funds Relief and make greater efforts to resolve the long-term debt crisis. "The euro zone countries have made progress but we must still do more to achieve a lasting solution. Japan and Britain are longtime supporters of the IMF and we are ready to make our contribution to the global effort if certain conditions are met, "wrote George Osborne and Jun Azumi.

The institution led by Christine Lagarde seeks in effect to increase its reserves by $ 500 billion to support the euro area. But the IMF's role is crucial in resolving the debt crisis in the eurozone. An official with the International Monetary Fund warned yesterday that if the institution was not associated with the bailout for Greece, the whole edifice would collapse for lack of support from private creditors. "We play a catalytic role. If we are here, both the public and the private sector will join in supporting a country, "said an IMF official, speaking to reporters in Washington on condition of anonymity.

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