International Headlines and Stories

Before the arrival of a new generation of video game consoles, the market declined sharply. This prediction is reflected in the figures. The French market was down 9% over the first five months of the year to 758 million euros, according to figures released Tuesday by research firm GfK distributors.

But on the whole of 2011, physical sales are expected to decline by 4% to 8% to 2.44 billion euros. The video game market is expected to be saved by the digital distribution of programs, for consoles, smartphones, Internet tablets and games for social networks. "The dematerialization of video games as an opportunity than a threat," says Pierre Cuilleret, the President of Micromania, in the bosom of the distributor Gamestop.In April, Gamestop said that $ 290 million were realized by the sale of games dematerialized, up 61% year on year credit score.

Improvement expected by year-end

For two and a half months, Micromania advises its customers to purchase in its stores codes for games on the Xbox Live network. This prevents users to leave their credit card details online. This reassures them after the theft of bank details of millions of users of Sony network.

The video games industry should see an upturn later this year, between October and November, with the launch of many games. In addition, the market should be supported by the arrival of the handheld console Sony PlayStation Vita around Christmas and a catalog provided more games for the Nintendo 3DS.Microsoft should continue to score points with its accessory Kinect.

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

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

Fiscal restraint and privatization

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

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

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

The euro, "strong and credible"

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

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

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Result surprise among the barometer Actineo / TNS Sofres on quality of life in the office made in April 2011 *. Certainly the interests of labor (53% of employees of which 63% of executives) is always ahead but the quality of life was cited by 38% of respondents followed by the level of pay (37%). The layout of offices and premises of their business has an impact "important" on their effectiveness (for 80% of them) and motivation (72%). A majority, 59% feel "somewhat satisfied" with their quality of life during their occupation. But behind these overall figures, there are considerable differences in the type of office attended, gender or family of the situtation.

Employees who attach more importance to the quality of work life are those who live alone: ​​49% against 38% on average.The women also admit to further pay attention: they are 45% to make this point against 38% on average across all respondents.

Alain d'Iribarne, CNRS Research Director and Chairman of Scientific Actineo, explains that this difference in response reflects the growing porosity between work life and personal life. "The problem is that this happens outside the workplace, the employer there is not too familiar" he says.

Define a function for each space

The barometer also highlights disparities depending on the office in which employees work. For 90% of employees have an individual office, the quality of work life is good. This figure drops to 63% for those who work in an office landscape (open space).The concentration is more easily known example in private office in the office landscape (the gap between the views of each other then 32 points). Alain d'Iribarne stresses the need for specialized areas of work: some supporting "the intimate relationship" and the other the "pooling".

In all cases, the quality of relationships with colleagues is seen as contributing most (84% of respondents) the quality of work life. The working space available to place second with 48% rating.

* The survey was conducted among a sample of 547 employees working in an office, from a nationally representative sample of 4000 people. Interviews face to face interviews were conducted between 1 and April 19.

When the European Commission is not happy, she indicated in a letter. According to sources, the States Dexia shareholders received one of these missives comminatory few weeks ago. Since then, the Franco-Belgian bank is boiling. The summits have intensified last week. A strategic committee of the board of directors was held on Monday, the eve of a plenary session where the accounts have been arrested in the first quarter. Reportedly, Pierre Mariani, Dexia's managing director, has called for an acceleration of sales of the group, the risk of large losses.

The European Commission accuses Dexia does not respect the roadmap that it had agreed lip service in February 2010, in consideration of state aid received in 2008. Brussels gives go to Dexia in June to come into compliance.The ultimatum is serious: the Commission has in its hands a "nuclear weapon" which would jeopardize state aid … His criticisms affect the balance of Dexia's balance sheet and profitability of own funds on certain transactions below target. "The Commission's complaints are very technical. But the tone makes it clear that the Commission wants a fight because she never believed in Dexia's business model, "recalls a close case.

Faced with this pressure, Pierre Mariani offers to settle permanently in the past. His plan: sell bulk whole sections of the 138 billion euros of assets under management now in extinction. In political terms, this would allow him to get out once and for all that power relationship with the Permanent Commission. Financially, the arbitration is to anticipate future losses and thus save carrying costs story boost future profitability.The Franco-Belgian bank can afford. It has, in fact, a thick mattress capital drives, with a ratio of 13.4%.

No recapitalization

The bank would therefore not need recapitalization whatever the magnitude of the purge restraint. Until then, sales of portfolio inherited from the past were carried out over the water, almost no impairment. But the debt crisis is not helping European Dexia. The bank just to give Crediop Sabadell and its subsidiaries specialized in the financing of local authorities in Italy and Spain.

Go faster? Reflection is ongoing. New decisive meetings are scheduled in two weeks. The acceleration advocated by Pierre Mariani may please the market, but it has a price.According to preliminary calculations, among many possibilities mentioned, the most radical scenario would result in a potential loss of 2 to 3,000,000,000 euros in 2011. The bitter pill for shareholders of Dexia, the Deposit and the state on the French side, Arco, and other Ethias Holding Communal Belgian side, who had subscribed to a capital increase to 9.90 euros per share in October 2008 – it is now worth less than 3.

Monday, Dexia declined to comment on the assumptions and figures, merely stating: "The group will continue to accelerate the financial restructuring while also investing in its franchises." And remember, proof of soundness, that Dexia has generated 280 basis points from Tier One ratio since late 2008.

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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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The Energy Minister, Eric Besson, who attended Friday at Matignon in a meeting on the theme of soaring energy was delivered this Sunday on Radio J, a change in the calculation of gas prices . Keeps the current formula, partly indexed to oil prices, should indeed lead to a further price increase on 1 July. An increase that could go wrong with consumers who are already undergoing an increase of 5.2% in early April, an inflation of 20% over one year and 60% since 2005.

"The government's objective is very clear: it is, in a context of rising energy prices at the international level to protect the purchasing power of the French," said Eric Besson, who considers "unacceptable" the continued the increase could reach 7.5% under the current formula.The new method of calculation should be offered "in the coming weeks" after the arbitral panel Matignon and the Elysee Palace.

Since early 2010, the energy group GDF Suez, owned 35% by the state, which offers fares. The Commission for Energy Regulation (CER) then verifies that the prices are consistent with the formula. But the government may "ask" GDF Suez does not apply the increase. The CRE has pronounced itself in recent days to a new formula for calculating rates to better reflect market prices (spot prices) at the expense of long-term price listed in the contract supply that GDF has signed with major suppliers. The spot prices now account for about 10% in the scale used.The regulator calls for increasing this proportion "as the market price continues to be lower than the average import price from the long-term contracts no credit check payday loans."

Curb rising fuel

Eric Besson else said the government was worried about soaring fuel prices. To curb the rates that affect the household budget, he plans to "make use" petroleum distributors.

He said he was "technically very difficult, if not impossible" to establish a "social tariff of gasoline, already ruled out last month by the Economy Minister Christine Lagarde. He believes, however, can mitigate the impact of soaring fuel prices, adding that discussions were under way but without giving further details on the nature of the contribution that would be applied to oil tankers.He also refused to talk to a tax on profits groups. "If we adopt a measure for the poorest households, it is necessary that, in one form or another, contribute to petroleum distributors," he said, referring only arbitration "in the days to come." Prices at the pump have been drawn up in recent weeks by revolts in Libya and the Middle East who have blazed the price of crude oil. In March, the super unleaded 95 had reached a high of 1.5179 euro parlitre.

(With AFP)

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At the gentle slope succeeds collapse. France 3 now flirting with the 10% audience share, against 14% three years ago. Last Saturday in prime time, the public channel regions is even symbolically passed below a million viewers, with the spread of the play One foot in the crime from the theater of the Auction of Marseille. A hearing to sentence the youth level digital television channels which now flirt with the 2 million viewers.

The staff of the chain relies on its public service mission to justify such a rout. But the argument is over when France 3 collapses to 4.6% audience share at lunch with "Midi in France, led by renegade Laurent Boyer M6, or Saturday night in second part of the evening when the series of disappearances is not taking off 4.4% audience share.Even the film loses its shine on France 3 since The Last Gang did not exceed 6.2% audience share last week.With the cost of grid that is around that of 2-France around 800 million euros, and 4800 employees, the decline of hearing begins to be disturbing.

Faced with scores, Corteel Lawrence, director of France 3 antennas, spoke Tuesday at the convention of executives of France Televisions, "the necessary regional reconquest," one of "information" concerning ", closer to the lived audiences, and "Wealth of twenty-four regional offices."

However, France 3 Must begin his Copernican revolution and lack of hearing, stop being a national chain, like Radio France Bleu (Radio France), be primarily a network of local stations ? For Francis Guilbeau, general manager of the chain, "the economic balance of the television does not allow it.This would mean having to increase the budget of the chain 24, the number of our local offices. ARD Germany has a budget of 7 billion euros. Our mission is not to make room for the local audience. "And remember that" no private regional channel has been a success in France, very centralized country. " However, the boss of France 3 recognizes the need to play more cards proximity, "which does not mean that Britons do not speak only to Britons no faxing pay day loans." "For now, he admits, regional programs are inconspicuous and do not have the success we expected." The documentary Xynthia after the storm, made in the region, has received a share of hearing by 7.1%. François Guilbeau does however borrow France Bleu her art "programs and services of local interest such as employment, real estate."Similarly, a "club of the regional press" should be created in the fall.

The radio daily

Playing the local map has paid for France Bleu. For three years, its audience grew. In the last survey Médiamétrie, the second general of Radio France slipped to RMC with 7.5% of total audience. Successfully initiated by Christiane Chadal, Network Manager from January 2008 to March 2010, with an editorial in August 2008 embodied in the slogan "From here". "Our position" From here "is anchored on the premises, but does not see the current national or international law, says Anne Brucy, director of France Bleu network. For example, the news in Japan and the crisis in Fukushima have mobilized our local near nuclear power plants (The Hague, Pierrelatte Fessenheim …).We take a comprehensive look from where our listeners. "These are major contributors of France Bleu. "The role of the auditor is at the heart of the program. It is about the listeners share and enrich the program information. Our expertise can enhance their contribution, "says Anne Brucy. A supply that feeds the antenna at a lower cost but is difficult to reproduce in television.

Similarly, through a nationwide network with 43 local Consequently, France Bleu can also actively participate in local life. What strengthen its position as "the daily companion."

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This Friday, the Paris Bourse has eroded slightly, following a session of sharp increase of 2.47%. The Cac 40, which was back above the 3900 points, stumbled again below that level: the index fell 0.30% to 3892.71 points. The mood on Wall Street Monday and Asian markets this morning did not allow the index in Paris to stay in the green, as he had opened in early trading. Indeed, by mid-afternoon, while Wall Street was operating in yo-yo around Logne flotation, CAC 40 was off balance and moved into the red.

Other European markets are also evolving in decline: in London, the FTSE-100 index fell 0.41% to 5762.71 points while in Frankfurt the Dax was 0.52% folded at 6780.97 points.

Yet the hopes surrounding the nuclear site Fukushima supported the markets.On site, the nuclear situation remains uncertain but appears to have stopped deteriorating. The operator of the plant, TEPCO announced that the work of rehabilitation of cooling systems had resumed Tuesday morning after being suspended the previous day following release of smoke.

In addition, a further intervention by the BoJ also came reassure investissuers. This last Tuesday, in 2000 has injected billions of yen (17 billion) more on the money market to support the Japanese economy. It has increased to 39,000 billion yen from the money released March 11. In this atmosphere a little calmer, operators go hunting for bargains.

Criticized the offensive in Libya

But the lack of macroeconomic indicators, like yesterday, failed to sustain the trend. And the situation in Libya is still worrisome.The international coalition, headed by the United States, France and Great Britain continued its operations in the night of Monday to Tuesday. Critics, from Germany, Italy or Russia, rise against, however, the intensity of the bombing in the West.

This tension plays anyway back on oil prices. In morning trading, a barrel of light sweet crude for April delivery took 19 cents to 102.52 dollars. That of Brent North Sea crude for May delivery, however, yielded 15 cents to 114.81 dollars.

As for currencies, the euro against the dollar still progressing on Tuesday operating above 1.42 dollar to levels not seen since November.Around 11:20 in Paris, the euro bought 1.4238 dollars against 1.4218 late Monday.

Values ​​need to follow

PSA Peugeot Citroën – 2.73% to 26.55 euros (largest decline of ACC)

The automaker announced Monday that the halt in production at one of its Japanese suppliers affected by the earthquake of March 11 would cause a decrease in its activity in diesel engines and probably induce measures layoffs.

Furthermore, SAP continues to lead the ranking of patents published in 2010 by the INPI.

Renault – 2.64% to 37.73 euros

The Chinese Ministry of Commerce has launched an appeal Tuesday for vigilance against the "vicious allegations" against China for stealing technology from foreign companies after the country has been implicated in the espionage case in the French group Renault .

Today, Dominique Gevrey, security officer of Renault indicted and jailed in the fraud case involving the builder, said he had done that "apply" the orders given by a management mode Management "paranoid."

Latecoere: + 8.51% to 9.69 euros, EADS: -0.72% to 19.43 euros

According to information of Figaro on Tuesday, Chinese Avic, Britain's GKN and the Dutch Stork Fokker-filed a complaint with a price estimate.EADS and Airbus are under pressure to attend a Franco-French solution.

Sanofi-Aventis – 0.70% to 47.65 euros

Merck and Sanofi Aventis announced Tuesday it had terminated the agreement in March 2010 through a joint venture in animal health, combining Merial Animal Health business of Sanofi, with Intervet / Schering-Plough animal health unit Merck.

Technip: + 1.80% to 71.41 euros

The group announced Tuesday it had won with TAQA Bratan installation contract for the development of Falcon Field, located in the North Sea about 560 kilometers northeast of Aberdeen (Scotland), for a water depth of 160 meters.

EDF – 1.42% to 28.46 euros

Edison, controlled jointly by the French EDF and Italy's A2A Monday issued an annual profit weighed down by asset writedowns and said it would not pay a dividend for fiscal 2010.

BNP Paribas: -1.15% to 52.57 euros

The bank granted a bonus of 1.67 million euros to its chief executive Baudouin Prot at the financial year 2010.

Audika: + 5.90% to 18.84 euros

Audika posted an operating profit in 2010 down to 17.55 million euros, against 18.76 million in 2009. The group's objective is a return to growth in 2011, with a turnover of at 115 and 120 million euros and an improved operating margin. It proposes a dividend of 0.42 euro no action.

SeLoger. com: 0.41% to 36.65 euros

The group announced Monday expect a double digit growth of its key financial indicators in 2011 thanks to record audience levels.

The amount is staggering. $ 70 billion social aid were announced by King Abdallah live on Saudi television on Friday. Therefore a figure for the 28 million inhabitants of the country, one third of the unemployed are young people aged 21 to 29.

The monarch has promised minimum wage increase to 800 dollars, the increase in premiums for unemployment up to 250 dollars, a premium of two months salary for each employee and a bonus of two months for student scholarships . But nearly $ 67 billion aid plan – almost all of the assistants will be devoted to the allocation of funds for the construction of 500,000 housing units across the country, and an envelope for the health sector. King Abdullah has proposed to inject more money into home loans by increasing to $ 128,000.

These injections of public funds came after the unprecedented announcement by the King on February 23 of a first action plan of 36 billion dollars. They should help diverdifier the Saudi economy, largely dependent on oil revenues.

Further monitoring

In his televised speech of three minutes, the sovereign has also announced the creation of a committee to fight against corruption, which will be under his supervision and could control all branches of government faxless cash advances. He also mentioned the creation of 60,000 new jobs security by ensuring that security forces will be ready to respond to "all those who intend to undermine 'the kingdom.

Fearing social unrest that the country earns from Bahrain, a neighboring country, where violent clashes between Shi'ite demonstrators and security forces took place this week, security forces were deployed en masse on March 11 in Riyadh, and in the eastern provinces, home to a strong Shiite community. However, according to some sources, the stability of autocratic rule of King Abdullah, from a prominent Sunni family, is not likely to be unshaken.

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