International Headlines and Stories

INSEE, dispelling a misconception. According to a study by the Institute published Friday, small businesses thrive on the territory much faster than population. On average, they rose 1% per year between 1993 and 2008, while the population grew by 0.5% annually. A particularly marked increase from 2000.

A distinction, however: this development has been so differentiated according to sectors of activity No fax cash advances. And if the hairdressers, estate agents and fast food are booming, dyers, shoemakers, cafes and cinemas are long faces. INSEE points and between 1993 and 2008, a joint ten lost his last drinking place.

The barber, trade's most developed rural areas

Photo credits: Le Figaro

The week begins on an auspicious in most markets in Asia. In the wake of the end of last week, particularly on Wall Street Friday evening ended on a net advance of the Nasdaq, investors approach the week with a mind divided between the few signs of easing from the macroeconomic front – fears U.S. employment, may slow in emerging – and persistence of tensions on the monetary front and Budget – austerity plans, national plan for stabilizing the euro area.

While places of Sidney, Shanghai and the Philippines were closed Monday due to holidays, the Nikkei in Tokyo gained approximately 1.6% to 9861 points in less than an hour of closing pushed particularly by Honda s make the award more than 3%.The group would reach an agreement with its Chinese supplier, enabling the Japanese automaker to resume normal work on Monday after a week of strike.

On the other cities in the region, the benchmark Hang Seng Stock Exchange of Hong Kong reverts to the threshold of 20,000 points to 20,047 points (0.88%). Elsewhere, the Seoul Stock Exchange gained 0.9% while in Bombay, the index yielded 0.8%.

On the foreign exchange market, the euro continues to strengthen. He traded this morning at 1.2183 dollars against 1.2077 dollars on Friday in New York. Against the yen, the euro also asserts upward to 111.91 yen against 110.65 Friday.

The strengthening of the euro leads to crude prices upward.In morning trade in Asia, a barrel of light sweet crude for July delivery gained a little over 80 cents to 74.59 dollars while Brent North Sea, with identical maturity, took 54 cents to 74 , $ 89.

Surprising as it may seem, the regions now pay the consequences of the reform of the pension system by SNCF, negotiated in 2007 by the government. In exchange for extending their period of contribution, the railroad has received various forms of compensation (new longevity step, time-saving account …) which, in total, cost 80 million per year from their business is up and running.

But part of that premium is now invoiced regions. These are in charge of regional express trains (TER). An activity inherently deficient, the ticket price only covers about one quarter of the charges. The regions "pay" for it so the station continues to operate these small lines. Specifically, the sign with the company elected public multi-year agreements, often over ten years, which regulate these funding issues.And it is anticipated that if, in the meantime, a law or a decree adopted at national level have an impact euro hard cash at the convention, the SNCF and the region shall, by agreement, review the financial conditions . The reform of the pension plan of the station into this framework.

In some regions, such as the Languedoc-Roussillon, the case has not yet been opened. But in others, the overhead of pensions has been included in escalation clauses when signing new contracts. Elected officials, who did not always detected these clauses are now discovering the pot to the roses. "In 2010, the bill for pensions for railroad workers is 3.3 million euros for Aquitaine," said Alain Rousset, President of PS and its Chairman of the Association of Regions of France (ARF). The magnitude is the same for Burgundy."The surcharge, which was 1 million in 2008 and 1.5 million in 2009, will reach 2 million in 2010 and 5 million per year thereafter," says Francois Patriat, Chairman PS Regional Council. The ARF has not yet calculated the total amount of the overcharge for the 22 regions. But there should be several tens of millions of euros.

Action against the State

In absolute terms, the regions where expenses exceed 26 billion could absorb this unexpected bill. Example of Burgundy, the region has an annual budget of 770 million and 200 million per year dedicated to B (50 million for the purchase of trains and 150 million of benefits). But the political context changes everything. The strained relations between local officials and the government. Nicolas Sarkozy has announced a freeze on grants paid by the state to local governments.

And since the reform of business tax, regional councils receive only the taxes they can not adjust the rate. The fact that the state refuses to compensate for the additional areas of pensions of railroad goes very badly. "This pension reform was imposed on us by the government. This would be the State to bear the consequences, "said Francois Patriat. Elected representatives decided to file an appeal before the tribunal to condemn the State. Franche-Comte has done the same. And considering the Aquitaine. "I have enough for the state to discard" protests Alain Rousset.

The success achieved by their counterparts in other departmental areas, protection of children, encourages regional representatives: general advice PS Saone-et-Loire and Seine-Saint-Denis have got the Council of State that the state is condemned for lack of funding.

It is also true that elected officials do not feel size now to renegotiate the terms with the offending station. "We are at an end of major negotiations between the government and the SNCF. The balance of power is not in our favor, "says Alain Rousset.

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"New standoff between state and local

Almost 9% increase! Half an hour after the opening of the Paris Stock Exchange on Thursday, Valeo posted the strongest increase in the SRD: 8.77% to 23.81 euros in a market up 2.2%. The carmaker brings with it its main competitor Faurecia climbed 6.53% to 13.13 euros.

This remarkable evolution follows the statement released Wednesday by Valeo, in which the group calls itself "confident" in achieving its goal of doubling its operating margin compared to 2009, notified on 24 February. The group is therefore an operating margin of almost 4% of its turnover in 2009 against 1.8% and 2.7% in 2008.Just in the first half, Valeo anticipates an operating margin approaching 6%, the highest rate on a semester during the last eight years.

Nomura to buy rest

The supplier table, moreover, still for the first half of 2010, on a turnover of around 4.7 billion euros, an increase of about 35% compared to the first half of 2009. Consensus Thomson Reuters, meanwhile, put on a turnover of 8.2 billion euros for the group in 2010 with an operating profit of 301 million, which would result in a margin of 3.67%.

This perspective reinforces the analysts at Nomura, in their recommendation to purchase the title. They said the current valuation of Valeo offers significant upside potential and thus provides a good buying opportunity. Nomura sets the price target to 35 euros.

This had not happened since September 29, 2008. Minutes before the close of Wall Street, the Dow Jones surpassed 11,000 points. Ultimately, the New York index closed at 10,997 points, up 0.64%. On the Nasdaq, it rose 0.71% to 2454 points.

Despite an increase in enrollment weekly unemployment and a shrinking numbers of consumer credit, U.S. investors appear to have courage and choose again, these days, for optimism. They show little worried, finally re-emerging doubts about the ability of Greece to honor its debts. Perhaps partly because, unlike the French or German banks, U.S. banks are not exposed directly to the crisis in Greece.Banks also suspects for 18 of them have, over the last 5 quarters, artificially reduced their debt just before the quarter end.

No significant new flag is expected before Monday, except on Friday, numbers of U.S. wholesalers' inventories for February, which rose 0.6% in February, more than expected, according to figures published Friday by the Commerce Department.

Yesterday, while European stock markets in the green-mountain this morning showed an average decrease of 1% of their stars indices, the Dow Jones closed 0.3% awarded in the S & P 500 also, and the Nasdaq Composite 0.2%. One way to greet the rise, much higher than expected, sales of major U.S. retailers: Index by Thomson Reuters, they rose in March by 9.1% against 6.3% expected, the highest since 2000.Taking advantage of some better weather, 28 distributors have seen their turnover increase by over 9% a year, a further sign of improving consumer confidence payday loans. GAP (1.06% to 24.85 dollars) has seen its turnover grow by 11% against 3.7% expected and Kohl's (0.37% to 56.84 dollars), 22.5 % against 12.4% expected. In the luxury, Nordstrom posted sales up +16.8%.

These values should continue to lead the coast on Friday, and Apple (0.77% to 241.79 dollars), which announced yesterday a new version of its operating system for the iPhone and iPad and sales 450 000 iPad since Saturday.

After the markets have reacted positively on Thursday, rumors of merger between the airlines U.S. Airways and United Airlines, the two companies have had mixed fortunes in the New York Stock Exchange on Friday.U.S. Airways lost 3.05% to 7.32 dollars, while UAL, parent of United Airlines has gained 1.33% to 20.50 dollars. UAL is in talks with U.S. Airways for a combination that would create one of the largest airlines in the world, according to The New York Times and the Wall Street Journal. This operation would be carried out no exchange of shares.

China's ambitions Tiffany (0.73% to 49.79 dollars), who wants to spend ten to thirty five the number of stores across the Rising Sun could give impetus to the value.

The California oil company Chevron (2.37% to 79.50 dollars a barrel) announced yesterday the results on the first quarter of 2010 as the fourth best in 2009. The group takes advantage of the rising oil prices and a possible improvement in refining margins.The major U.S. must publish its accounts on April 30.

In the pharmacy, the distributor McKesson Corp. (-0.06% to 66.56 U.S. dollars) has announced it will sell its Asia Pacific unit, which provides health services through telephone and Internet, Medibank Private Limited. Giant Australian health services and insurance.

In Los Angeles

Sir Howard Stringer, CEO of Sony, never gives up. The firm, however, Tokyo has accumulated errors during the last decade. She has lost the digital music player market against Apple. His video game consoles, are in third place, behind Microsoft and its Xbox 360 is far behind Nintendo and its Wii. Worse, the TV market, the former world number one until 2006 was demoted to third place by the South Korean Samsung and LG. But the 3D could change that.

Sony plays an ambitious part with 3D. "We are present throughout the chain of video images in 3D. From the professional camera lens for up to televisions, via the video game consoles, games and movies, "recalls Nick Sharples, a spokesman for Sony in Europe.The Tokyo firm could also add 3D to its Vaio PC, even though no one has this feature. Ultimately, its mobile phones designed by its joint venture with Ericsson of Sweden could also benefit from a screen in relief.

From the camera to video games

In contrast, the 3D cameras to film and sporting events, Sony is the only group with fellow electronics Panasonic offer professional equipment. The Tokyo company has partnered with the company to improve its 3ality cameras that use two objectives and can play on the "depth" of the effect in relief. For 3D TV, the group wants to propose "in France around the Soccer World Cup which starts on June 11," said Philippe Citro?n, managing director of Sony in France Guaranteed pay day loans.

But it will gain in the battle along with Philips and LG, and well after its competitors Samsung and Panasonic, who already sell their screens in the United States. However, these Sony TVs 3D can be coupled to the PlayStation 3 which will be adapted in June, games in relief. The game programs will be announced in mid-April. A second amendment to the PS3, the second semester will play Blu-ray videos in relief, in high definition. It is a competitive advantage over other consoles.

Sony is finally the only one with studios to make films in 3D and special effects. Sony Pictures Digital is especially designed computer images of Alice in Tim Burton, produced by Disney. "We can accomplish miracles, as to eliminate the reflection of a person in a mirror.But it is not possible to convert to 3D, traditional scenes with smoke, rain or snow falls, "says Buzz Hays, director of the 3D shape of Sony's directors. The group has already contributed to 8 films in relief since 2004 and participates in the rise of Hollywood studios to provide "46 films in 3D in 2010 against 17 in 2008," according to the firm Futuresource. According to Michael Lynton, president of Sony Pictures, "We are at the beginning of a profound change for the film industry."

The government has decided to register on May 4 next to the Senate, on its quota, the review of the proposed group law to prohibit New center offers reclassification, in cases of social plans in foreign countries to Wages humiliating. That was nine times that this text, voted unanimously in the National Assembly 30 June 2009, waiting to be examined by the Upper House. On Thursday morning, when Le Figaro in its April 1 edition published an article on the subject, it should not be before October, the quota of the Centrist Union. Its author, Philippe Folliot, MP Tarn, had asked two days ago to Eric Woerth, the new Minister of Labour, register quickly to the quota of government.He won the case today fast cash loans.

This bill seeks to require businesses, where social, making offers of redeployment "accompanied by a fee equivalent". History avoided, as is often the case, the multiplication of "grotesque situations" in the words of Philippe Folliot. The debate was revived earlier this week after the Continental offered to 600 employees from its site Clairoix 60 operator positions in its production subsidiary of Bizerte, Tunisia, for a gross monthly salary of 137 euros per month . A month ago, it was Philips who had offered its 212 employees Dreux reclassify them in Szekesfehervar, Hungary, for 450 euros per month.

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A few days before the European Council of Heads of State and Government, the Capitals still do not seem to agree about assisting in Greece. Germany, especially, would like to avoid paying a penny in troubled countries. The latest statements by Angela Merkel appeared to go in that instant payday loans . Using the International Monetary Fund would include not putting his hand in his pocket, implies Berlin. Others, like France, believe that IMF intervention would reflect the inability of the eurozone to deal with its internal problems. The situation today in computer graphics

Fight against the invasion of generics has become the creed of Sanofi-Aventis. The pharmaceutical group multiplies acquisitions for several months to cope with the loss of patents on some of its drugs by 2014. Latest news dated from Voices? A stake of 19.9% in the Danish biotech company Zealand Pharma for 100 million euros. The interest of the maneuver is to get his hands on the ZP10, a treatment against diabetes and obesity currently in phase three clinical trials, the last before the placing on the market. It also aims to strengthen an existing partnership with the company valued at between 400 and 500 million euros. In exchange, the news caused investors to react moderately. The title takes Sanofi 1.68% to 56.33 euros.

The ZP10, is baptized by AVE0010 Sanofi, should be launched on the market in 2012.Sanofi wants to be the successor of Lantus insulin his star, who in 2008 has already generated 2.4 billion euros in sales and has raised a number of sales of laboratory medicine in the first nine months of 2009. The pharmaceutical group is already preparing the loss of patent for this drug in Europe and the United States in 2014. So in addition to the ZP10, Sanofi is testing a new version of Lantus. If it successfully passes the test, he could receive a patent until 2025.

Being on all fronts

Since the beginning of the year, Sanofi is trying every means to expand its portfolio. In addition to equity from Zealand Pharma, the group also focuses its activity in atrial fibrillation, a heart disorder.

On Monday, Sanofi announced the acquisition of Chattem, a leading drug sold without prescription in the United States, for 1.9 billion dollars.An operation that should allow him to become the No. 5 global counter medications. A segment very promising since it generated 86.6 billion dollars worldwide in 2008 with 20 billion in the United States. On this market alone, it was the fifth acquisition made by Sanofi-Aventis between 2008 and 2009, after the Australian Symbion, the Argentine Gramon, the French specialist food supplements and beauty products Kernpharm the Netherlands last month.

Other operations were performed in the generic (Medley, Kendrick, Zentiva), ophthalmology (Fovea), vaccine (Shantha) or in animal health with the purchase for 2.8 billion euros of the 50 % of its U.S. partner in the Merck Merial Veterinary Laboratory. Recently, market rumors evoked recovery of German Ratiopharm fourth generic manufacturer in the world, boosted as the stock market.

In total, Chris Viehbacher, head of Sanofi-Aventis since December 2008, launched 31 acquisitions and partnerships in 2009. And the movement should continue in 2010.

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"There is a gap between image and reality of our group"

The GDF Suez group presented on Thursday its quarterly financial results. In the first nine months of the year, operating income (EBITDA) is logged down by 2.7% to 10.1 billion euros. The group confirmed in a statement likely to increase positive one throughout the year 2009.

Always on the period from January to September, sales reached 57.9 billion euros, down moderately from 1.2% (-2.8% change in organic).

Net debt amounted to 27.8 billion euros at end September 2009, unchanged compared to end June 2009 and down 1.1 billion euros compared to late 2008.

"Group activity in the first nine months of the year confirms the strength of our business model. Despite the downturn that we announced in the third quarter, we confirm our annual targets.In a difficult economic environment, GDF SUEZ continues its industrial development while reducing its debt levels, allowing the group to prompt the return of growth in its major markets, "said G?rard Mestrallet, CEO of GDF Suez in connection with the publication of its results.