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From our correspondent in Brussels

New this dramatic turn of events late Friday afternoon. In a statement, the Acting Prime Minister of Greece reported the words of a conversation between President Karolos Papoulias and Angela Merkel held earlier. During this interview, German Chancellor thus' brought up the idea to organize a referendum on the question of whether or not Greek citizens wishing to stay in the euro area. " This consultation would be organized "in parallel elections" of 17 June to address the lack of majority after the election on May 6 that prevented since the formation of a government.

This small bomb that could shake up the mess of the Greek – and even more so than Germany, with France in 2011 had rejected the proposal of former Prime Minister George Papandreou to conduct a referendum – was denied on the heels by a spokesman for Angela Merkel. "This is wrong and we completely refute," he said.

This proposal, real or not, the German Chancellor came at the end of a day when a large cacophony reigned over the fate of Greece in the euro area. "The ECB and the European Commission (…) study of emergency scenarios if Greece does not recover," was released in the morning and the European Commissioner Karel De Gucht to persuade the Greeks to make sacrifices if they want to keep the euro. It was enough that a news agency transforms the event into "emergency plan" for markets to become inflamed. Brussels later denied even the existence of a crisis scenario but the damage was done.

The weekend is Jose Manuel Barroso, who had himself set fire to the powder by saying that "better" than Greece leaves the euro if it refuses to play the game President Commission then had to make amends by ensuring that Athens "is part of the family." Monday is Maria Fekter, the Austrian Minister of Finance, who has been rapped over the knuckles because she wanted to leave Greece to the euro, even then readmit him.  

Bankruptcy more expensive

In Greece, the radical left Syriza, credited with 20% of votes in the polls, seen in the June 17 elections a referendum for or against the austerity, the euro should remain in the table. Europe, tired of paying to no avail, she distills a message about more complicated: June 17 it will be a referendum for or against the common currency, knowing that the rejection of the euro would lead to bankruptcy even more expensive for the Greeks . The approach (now responsibility Greek, European solidarity later) was agreed in Athens with the two traditional parties, the conservative New Democracy and PASOK socialists. Europe wants to understand the Greeks they can not snatch the cake and eat it too. In return, the Europeans offer the promise of better times. Jean-Claude Juncker of Eurogroup, Mario Draghi for the ECB and Francois Hollande and Angela Merkel in Berlin were so bent on the exercise by saying all that "Greece must remain in the euro."

A strategy that could ultimately be paid. The Conservatives have taken the advantage over their rivals Syriza recent days, according to surveys, with the prospect of a majority in favor of austerity. Karel De Gucht said himself: the endgame has begun and the question is "whether everyone can keep his cool" to the end. Response in less than a month

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Trichet's plan to save the euro

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To avoid the breakup of the euro, the former ECB President Jean-Claude Trichet claims to have a plan: put the financially troubled countries under the tutelage of Brussels, if it is unable to implement policies budget approved by the EU. It would operate a federal mechanism "outstanding", when fiscal policy of a Member State slips to threaten monetary union.

"Federalism exception seems not only necessary to ensure a strong economic and monetary union, but it could also adapt to the true nature of Europe in the long run," said the former president of the ECB to Peterson Institute in Washington. The idea is not new. It was proposed by German finance minister, Wolfgang Schäuble, who wanted to entrust the finances of Greece to a "supercommissaire". Interference rejected by Athens as deemed "undemocratic".

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As with fast payday loans, this recently used to be the case, but competitive lenders and higher demand has taken this loan type to mainstay levels.

 

New trial for Yahoo!. The U.S. internet group announced Sunday it had appointed a new temporary chief executive, Ross Levinsohn, replacing Scott Thompson less than five months after the arrival thereof at the head of the company. "Scott Thompson left the company" Yahoo! justifies no further details. The group further states that Fred Amoroso has been named president of the board to replace Roy Bostock.

This change in the leadership of a pioneering Internet companies, now embattled, was announced a few hours after the release of information on the site dedicated to news reports All Things Digital. The article reported an imminent departure of former CEO in the wake of a controversy provoked by the discovery of falsification of his CV. A few days earlier, Patti Hart, director of the group, had also been forced to leave the band for the same reasons: she had embellished his CV.

According to All Things Digital, the reason for the "abrupt departure" is only due to the activism of hedge fund Third Point, a leading shareholder of Yahoo! with 5.8% stake. A shareholder who has been trying for several years to gain seats and influence within the board had asked the head of Scott Thompson on line pay day loans. And the fund has been successful. In fact, Yahoo! has agreed that the boss of Third Point, Daniel Loeb, and two persons selected by him, Harry Wilson and Michael Wolf, are seated on the board from Wednesday. The Board is pleased to announce these changes and this agreement with Third Point, and is confident they will be in the best interests of our shareholders, "we read in Yahoo! News.

The group did not, however, extends the strategy it intends to follow in the future, simply stating that "in as interim CEO, Ross Levinsohn will direct the day to day running of the company, helped by the existing team of executives from Yahoo! ". This last Sunday was up global director of the media branch of Yahoo! It is the fifth CEO to take the reins of the group in five years. The question is whether Yahoo! will manage to raise the head above water.

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From Sunday morning, Japan will be left without nuclear energy. The shutdown of the country's last active reactor actually began on Saturday, shattering the share of nuclear energy in electricity Japanese a little over a year after the disaster of Fukushima. A provisional release in principle. The last operating reactor, Tomari 1, on Hokkaido Island (north), farm inspection. The 54 reactors of the Archipelago, which provided nearly 30% of electricity needs of the country until March 11, 2011, thus find themselves at a standstill. The four reactors in Fukushima are destroyed, them finalized.

The Government intended to review its engines one by one and reboot – he wants – is a politically sensitive issue. This nuclear phase, anticipated for months, has enormous economic consequences not only for Japan but for the rest of the world.

In 2011, the trade balance of the third world economy went into the red for the first time in thirty-one years. Half of the degradation observed between 2010 and 2011 due to higher energy bills. Until January, Japan wiped especially the soaring price of oil and natural gas. But since the volume of gas imports are growing exponentially. For more than oil (which imports fell last year), more than coal is liquefied natural gas (which Japan is already the largest importer) which replaces the uranium to run power plants. For the ten power companies already tight financial situation, which share the country, this is a massive overhead. They are already preparing their users to jump to the invoice.

Concerns in Korea and Taiwan

The first of them, Tokyo Electric (Tepco, the operator of Fukushima), announced a 17% increase in tariffs for the industry and has requested another 10% for households. TEPCO had to accept its takeover by the state last week to survive. The operator of Kansai (western Japan), the second lung of industrial countries after the Tokyo area, he believes his side will not spend the summer with reactor shutdown cheapest personal loan rates. "Kansai Electric announced a cost of generation of 6 yen per kilowatt hour from nuclear. With natural gas, the cost increases to 9 yen. It is the user who will pay "this leap of 50%, warns Paul J. Scalise, specialist electricity sector in Japan.

The archipelago is so important a part of the world economic stage that their choices weigh on all. "The new gas demand in Japan has caused concern in Taiwan and South Korea in April 2011," says one foreign player in the gas market in Tokyo. Ever on the global gas market the differences were so great between Asian prices and U.S. prices, driven down by the boom in shale gas.

The ANA, which has joined the burgeoning renewable energy industry, believe that the release of their country's nuclear factodu is proof he can do without. The cost of the energy bill can not match that of the Fukushima disaster, priceless, they argue among their arguments. "False, says a nuclear framework: simulations of the costs of insurance against such a disaster Fukushima show that nuclear power is still profitable even in this case."

Before the disaster, Japan planned to increase the nuclear share to over 50% of electricity production in 2030. The government is preparing in principle for the summer, its new energy strategy for the long term. It should instead provide a reduction instead of the atom. In the immediate future, without it will prove costly for the Archipelago.

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Medel, its official name Lucmagn, is a quiet village of 435 souls nestled at 1332 meters altitude, in the heart of the Alps, in the region of the Lukmanierpass (Grisons). Its inhabitants were just as quiet on their heights until a Swiss mining company, a subsidiary of Canadian Gold NV, may disturb their idyll. Under their feet, in fact hides a gold mine. That company then proposed to exploit this in exchange for 40 million Swiss francs, or about 33 million euros. Against all odds, the villagers declined the offer to two-thirds of the population, after a referendum held in early April.

According to Business Insider, the mine in question, located in a vast pine forest in the snowy peaks and valley Medel, to contain about 1.2 billion dollars of precious metals. The U.S. site information reports that the history of the mine clearly divided the inhabitants of the valley. Some would see a tremendous opportunity in the economic deficient, while others – mostly – highlight their concerns about the environmental impact such a project would succeed.

For its part, NV Gold in talks with the mayor of the small town, more than ever determined to steal the treasure buried by the villagers jealously refractory.

 

"Choose well, choose Goal!" The old slogan of the number three of the furniture it always goes well. The company creates envy and indeed could, as revealed yesterday, Les Echos, soon change hands.

Reportedly, no less than five French investment funds have indeed shown interest in the brand of furniture from the current owners, Goldman Sachs and Colony Capital funds and OpCapita (former Merchant Equity Partners). Paragraph (Auchan group) looked at the file, but refrained. The name of the Austrian Lutz teaches that attempts since 2008 to enter France, is also advanced.

Officially, however, the group is not for sale. "No process was launched. Goldman Sachs and Colony Capital, which each hold 48.5% stake in Aim, rather sought a refinancing solution, "says a source close to the two actors, who adds:" They received expressions of interest, among others of Axa Private Equity and PAI, but they will refuse the offers if they are insufficient. "

Develop and design the kitchen

The three shareholders hope to sell Aim for 450 or 500 million euros, valuing the company at about six times its Ebitda (80 million euros in 2011). This is less than what was paid for Conforama Steinhoff – nearly seven times Ebitda – but the amount is close to that that the three had paid Kesa (Darty parent) in March 2008, ie 550 million euros.

Under the leadership of a new CEO, Regis Schultz Purpose managed to change course. The brand is losing its image with cheesy a thorough review of its range. More modern, but also more focused on the shelves carriers, such as decorating and cooking business card. And especially to lower prices, more in line with those of its competitors, thanks to tremendous work on own brands and supplies. Particular aim was to ally Cafom (Habitat-unique.com sale …) and joined the Central Purchasing SELECTIS to buy at cheaper prices.

The fleet of approximately 200 stores, almost unchanged for three years, was renovated. Purpose and City, a store designed for smaller and larger cities where the supply of appliances is only available on the terminals, was born in late 2010.

A nice improvement

The efforts are paying. Last year, sales grew 4.2 Goal% (LFL), reaching 1.8 billion euros. The company gained market share for the third consecutive year, from 9.2% in 2008 to 10.3%, despite the loss of eight franchised stores. But Goal acquired almost as many (five) since the beginning of the year, thanks to 200 million euros released by the sale of the walls of twenty-five stores last November. An operation orchestrated by Colony Capital, as he did at Buffalo Grill and encouraged at Accor. "Certainly, Goal has almost no debt and the bride looks very nice. But, with higher rents, its profitability will be even more difficult, "says one industry expert. Especially since prospects are rather gloomy furniture. In 2011, the market had grown by only 1.5%. "Goal should instead focus a competitor, French or European, who can achieve economies of scale in procurement," says this source.

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Unlike products that are struggling to attract equity investors, Stone devotes its safe haven status. If the majority of investors to prefer unfurnished apartment, either in the new with the Scellier or to renovate the former, others opt for furnished rentals, deemed combine flexibility and profitability cash advance loan. As such, residential services have a large supply of products apparently attractive.

Apartment in Dijon offered by Adagio to a business clientele. Photo credits: Adagio

 

Projects are multiplying in the ultra-low-cost, became a major issue for the automobile. For proof, German Volkswagen, which earns huge sums yet with its premium brand Audi, does not intend to abandon this segment to rival Renault-Nissan. "The group has a portfolio of cars down to the Up! We lead a discussion to develop a vehicle that would be located below. It would not be proposed under the Volkswagen brand, but would a new name, "confirmed Thursday Martin Winterkorn, CEO of Volkswagen, during a press conference in Paris. The goal is to get off rates lie between EUR 5000 and EUR 7000 to meet demand in some markets. "In India and China, there is undoubtedly a potential market for cars located below the Up!" Says the boss of VW. For now, the cheapest car sold by VW Polo in India is at about 7000 euros, which is expensive for local consumers. The German previously banked on its partnership with Japan's Suzuki, leader of the Indian market – which it owns 20% – to develop an appropriate offer, but relations between the two groups became execrable.

For its part, Nissan, Renault's ally, announced Tuesday it would rise again from 2014 Datsun brand, abandoned in the 1980s. With this new brand, whose prices will be "affordable" (around 500,000 yen, euro 4600, according to Japanese press), the Japanese initially target India, Russia and Indonesia.

"Today, our entry into the Indian market, it is the Micra", sold around 6,000 euros, "or, below that price, it remains more than 40% of the market. It is necessary that we can offer something to those customers "who can not spend more, recently emphasized Gilles Normand, Nissan's vice president, referring to the creation of a true" product line " instant credit report.

For its part, Renault launched the project of a car ultra-low-cost, which aims to compete with the cheapest models in the Indian market, as the Tata Nano to 2,500 euros. Internally, we talk a car from 3500 euros, to be launched by 2016.

Logan too expensive

Renault certainly has its Logan platform, sold under the brand low-cost Dacia in Europe. She pulls the international growth, particularly in Brazil and Russia, thanks to models like the small Sandero or 4 × 4 Duster (which are not considered in these markets as low-cost). But "for countries like India," this platform is "too expensive", "therefore, we will look for cheaper platforms", called ultra-low-cost, explained last month, Carlos Ghosn, the Renault boss Nissan. This new platform will also serve to Africa or South America.

While sales are declining in Europe, the ultra-low-cost has become a vital gateway to the volume in some markets up sharply. The Indian market, which reached 2 million cars last year, could double or even triple in the coming years, according to Renault-Nissan

Indonesia (900,000 sales last year), where Nissan will more than double its production capacity to increase it to 250,000 cars per year by 2014, also represents a market full of promise.

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Finished playing. The High Authority for the dissemination of works and protection of rights on the Internet (Hadopi) has started to send their records to justice. They relate to users who have been singled three times for illegal downloading of music, movies or television series. They are part of the 2 to 4 million French who consume 80% of the bandwidth of the Hexagon, as estimated by the French Federation of Telecom.

Failing to respond to warnings of Internet Piracy, these users will now have to answer for their acts before a police court. Guilty of "failure to monitor Internet access," they risk a fine of up to 1500 euros. In addition, the judge may request a break from their Internet access for a month at most.

Less than 165 files concerned

Potentially, this is less than 165 records are concerned. This is indeed the number of cases examined at the end of December 2011, the Commission for Protection of Rights (CDP) of the Hadopi. The latter calls the Internet before deciding repeat the referral of their case in court. These cases represent a fraction of the 822,000 users who received a first warning of Internet Piracy since October 2010. Email, they are warned that their "Internet access has been used to commit acts, recognized by the minutes, which may constitute a criminal offense." In this case, "to make available, reproduce or access to cultural works protected by copyright."

Exactly 68,343 of these users have been a second warning of Hadopi, sent by registered letter. And it was only after having been caught out a third time that people are summoned by the CDP. Of the 165 offenders, some users were not presented. And therefore even more likely to have to explain himself before a judge.

Credibility issue

The Hadopi declined to specify the number of cases sent to court same day payday loans. It is also not a finite process but a sending "streaming" to the floors of residential Internet users. It also did not specify the profile of these offenders diligent, their case is now within the justice.

One thing is certain, however: Hadopi sent "folders better built," says a source close to the administrative authority. In other words, the Hadopi hope the case will result in a sanction forwarded copy. For this first salvo justify ultimately the validity of the Hadopi system and graduated response, challenged by the Socialist candidate for president, Francois Hollande. "We have always said that the credibility of the device based on a combination of education and punishment," said Roger and Jerome, Director General of UPFI (Union of French independent record producers). Transferring records to justice "is therefore part of the normal implementation of graduated response," said the representative of independent producers.

The Hadopi has taken the time to tie up his files before proceeding to the final stage. "For several months it is about 100 to 150 files ready to be sent for trial in our discussions with Internet Piracy," says one well among beneficiaries. "The third phase, we will be very cautious. Our goal is not to refer as many people in court, "had also warned Marie-Françoise Marais, president of Internet Piracy, last June, when the" Media Buzz Orange-Le Figaro ", citing" a number relatively small "folders. Their fate is now in the hands of justice.

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The growing unease among the agents of employment center. After the hostage Monday by two executives seeking employment in an agency in East Paris, the unions called on workers to exercise their right to withdraw this Wednesday morning from 9:00 to 11:00. This is for Inter to "denounce the continued risk of aggression sites," while a committee of health, safety and working conditions (HSC) Extraordinary meets at the same time to discuss the hostage taking.

The attacks of this magnitude are fortunately minimal. But officials complain, according to unions, to address a growing tension in the workplace. "For several years the violence they face every day progresses," says Philippe Berhauld, national secretary of the CFDT employment center. "The insults to home are becoming more frequent.Accusations of incométences have become commonplace. Accidents of this kind, we are about two a day just in my area, Midi-Pyrenees, "said Diane Gastellu, employment center agent and member of the HSC.

"We are ill-equipped to respond" Unemployment, which is struggling to recede, contributing to frustration and sometimes despair of the unemployed. The share of those seeking work for over a year, in particular, continues to grow. As for the merger of the ANPE and Assedic, made a forced march at the height of the crisis in 2009, workers often feel that it has exacerbated the situation. By increasing the pace of work – each manages a portfolio average of 110 to 120 job seekers – and requiring most agents they are versatile, transfer of public service employment has made their task particularly arduous.

"If the relations are more strained with the users, it is often because we are ill-equipped to answer them, says Diane Gastellu. The officers present at the reception may not have the dual responsibility on compensation and job search faxless pay day loans. Colleagues who have dual training are far from being the majority. " Result, when a job applicant has a question about computing the allowance, "it happens very quickly, we swim," says Councillor example. A situation reinforced by the fact that many agents are welcome CSD, and employment center of recent date.

Absenteeism on the rise

The use of telephone platforms, to relieve the agencies, does not help. "We refer more users to these platforms. This is resented, they feel taken for a ride. Their instinct is often to seek to impose the contact, "says she again."Before the merger, we had more time to spend in conversation with each job seeker. It's frustrating for everyone: for employees who feel they do not do a good job, and for users who feel abandoned, "said another officer, former Assedic, who has in the Centre region. Work overload, poor management of priorities, setting targets unrelated to the quality of service: agents are not left out of arguments to explain the increasing frustration of users.

Many strains on the health of employees and the social climate of the public institution. According to a Senate report released last July, absenteeism has increased by over 20% in five French regions and from 15% to 20% in five others. Urban areas, where the density of job seekers is important, are particularly affected."The medium and long stops diseases have increased significantly, says John Montero, TF delegate employment center. We deplore more depressions. More and more agents are taking psychotropic drugs, neuroleptics, have addictive behavior. It is time to do something. "

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In purchasing real estate, the French would have become more opportunistic. This is reflected in a survey of the Land Bank published this Saturday in Le Parisien-Aujourd'hui en France, on Saturday. The study found that nearly two-thirds of the French advance will realize a capital gain tax at the time to buy an apartment. Thirty years ago, they were a little less than half. "In 2010, 22% of buyers formulate their intention to sell as soon as possible, against 4.2% in 1980," said the newspaper Deletré Bruno, general manager of Crédit Foncier. The desire to stop paying rent and security always have a home are the main motivations for first-time buyers that are what the generations (over 90% of respondents).The survey was conducted among four generations of first-time buyers (1620 people in total) signed a loan with Land Bank.

"Buyers more opportunistic and strategic"

To the general manager of Crédit Foncier, today's generation is more "strategic" than their elders who could probably more easily buy a long-term bad credit pay day loans. "We are faced with more opportunistic buyers, which are placed on a financial and strategic option," he said. Today's buyers who have experienced a doubling of prices in ten years are more responsive to market conditions according to this survey (75% against 66% for buyers of the 2000s) but not more concerned than previous generations to build a retirement investment (on average, between 71% and 72% by generation).

In this context of rising prices, buyers today feel more proud to own (67% against 54% for generation 2000). Generation in 2000, helped by a favorable economic environment, expressed "most satisfied", the buyers of the 1990s say they are "reasonable" and those of the 1980s put forward the "sacrifices" made to repay the loan.