International News

The team goes into overdrive in the race to develop digital. In January, Marie-Odile Amaury, CEO of the eponymous media group, reiterated his desire to develop the sports daily on digital media, web, mobile tablets, after clearing up advertising revenue in 2010. "The Team Leader Sports Information on digital. Our website attracts over 5 million unique visitors per month, consuming more than 700 million page views, which places him among the top three websites in France, across all categories. Our mobile traffic has surpassed 100 million monthly page views. All our media are also available on shelf ", says the CEO of L'Équipe, which is also considering" creating a product designed exclusively for Team shelves that prepares for early 2012. "

In 2011, one of the group's priorities is to approximate the print and Web newsrooms, which total more than 350 journalists and must "work more consistently. These essays have lived ten years in parallel with strong stories, "says Francis Morinière, who named Fabrice Jouhaud head of editorial at the end of last year. The latter has seen his responsibilities extended to the Web, in addition to newspaper and magazine. "This is one of the most brilliant journalists of his generation, I think this project will lead with intelligence."

A free channel available on an HD channel

Another variation of the group, the Team TV channel on cable (numeric), satellite (CanalSat) and ADSL (SFR), carries an audience share of 0.2%, according to Mediametrie. What is the future of TV? "The thematic development of pay channels is complicated to run.That's why, if the CSA confirmed its intentions, The Team will be a candidate for the award of a frequency HD digital free sports information, "says Francis Morinière, echoing the call for APF applications "should be announced for late 2011. Until now available on carriers paying Team TV would become a free channel, directly accessible on a HD channel. "This is a major project for the Amaury group. That's why this decision was taken in full agreement with Philippe Carli, CEO of the group. Two years ago, the president had said during the Estates General of the press that "The State should ensure that the press has the conditions for its development." Our development on television follows this logic.The future of media groups through their ability to project itself into a multimedia based on strong brands and recognized, "said Francois Morinière.

If he gets the green light from the CSA, the proposed free HD channel on DTT would require an investment of "more than 30 million euros cash advance now. Many people are concerned about upsetting the economic balance of the PAF. But it will not be challenged because we are targeting around 1% market share of advertising revenues in television [estimated at 3.4 million net in 2010, according Irep]. When comparing the profitability of media groups and media groups, there is no danger in delay. For us, it can be very beneficial to the contrary ", says the CEO of the group.What would the editorial content of this new channel for free? "The sport is missing from the landscape of free channels, then it is a focal point for 25 million French. The public expectation is high, and the legitimacy of the team is obvious. Our project is ambitious and is a part of Team DNA. It was Charles Bietry, editorial director of TV crew and one of the inventors of the sport on television, which designs the project. "

8.4 million consumers

If he was born, this project would compete with that of Alain Weill, RMC Sport, which would also aim to invest TNT HD. "We'll see. Team TV has been around almost 13 years, but the draft RMC. Our editorial guidelines are different, our projects will be too.RMC is very focused on football and relies on consultants vedettes.Notre project will discuss all sports in all their meanings, and based on an essay of 350 journalists sport experts, present on all land sports the world. Sport is essential in the TNT. The team of 70 can speak the French sports, "argues Francis Morinière.

In 2010, France paid for the dissemination of L'Équipe, almost stable at -0.3%, amounted to 302,158 copies, according to OJD. Sporting events of 2011 do they offer such good prospects? "We are pleased with these figures. This is the first time that the daily broadcast is stabilized since 2006, knowing that France was now in the final of the FIFA World Cup, "said Francois Morinière.In addition, Team consolidates its leading position in national newspaper with 2,347,000 readers daily on average, up 1.6%, according to the latest audience research EPIQ. A hearing "up 6% on assets and AB +, as the Group Chief Executive. Finally, the mark "Team" is the first media brand in France with 8.4 million consumers weekly, daily between the Web and magazine. Nevertheless, 2011 will inevitably a little quieter for us. Sporting events are less promising and have the disadvantage of being in negative time difference, "he concedes.

Returned to profit, the group Team weighs "250 million" in sales in 2010. "Just over 50% of its revenues" are generated by the newspaper, whose 'relative share is fairly stable, "said its director general.

Faced with rising rents in France, it becomes difficult for the student accommodation. AFEV (Association of the student foundation for the city), an association of student volunteers who fight against inequalities in income neighborhoods, has been working on this issue. It launched a program that offers student groups, in return for a roommate in very affordable prices, to participate in a common social vision. This program is called KAPS "Koloc A. Projects in solidarity"

In September 2010, the mayor of Toulouse has made available ten students four T3/T4 type apartments, provided they spend a few hours a week in entertainment cultural workshops, or coaching youth in difficulty .Students share the old staff accommodation which the city owns and rents paid monthly CROUS (Regional Centre for University and School) amounted to 272.42 euros (141 to 182 euros after deduction of aid housing). The project is supported by the bank BNP Paribas participant KAPS at € 150,000 and shall be directly liable, allowing students to access at no additional cost to collocations.

Roommate: a method that works

"Although Toulouse was one of the cheapest cities in France, the housing market begins to be saturated," said Stephanie Arnold of the town hall of the "pink city". "An increasing number of students is therefore preferred to collocation. This allows them to make more new friends. "The analysis of the motivations of students, which was conducted among volunteers AFEV shows "both a strong desire to participate in an action 'good' socially and a desire to learn for themselves," says the press release KAPS project.

Furthermore Toulouse, Poitiers and Paris have also tried. Through a partnership with the Foundation AFEV Poitiers University and the social landlord Logiparc, 12 students occupied T4 4 apartments in two districts of Poitiers for a rent amounting to 285 euros each (housing not deducted) online pay day loans. In Paris, five students, including volunteers AFEV are housed in a residence of the Studentenwerk, including three singles and two in collcation in an apartment.In exchange for a rent of 350 to 380 euros per month, they are five hours per week involved in projects in the area of ​​the roundabout of the Chapel, where there is a high concentration of social housing.

Convincing results

In the capital, the city less affordable for students, AFEV, the Studentenwerk and SIEMP (Society of the mixed economy of the city of Paris) work to the lineup from 40 to 50 units dedicated to the roommate. "But we are still awaiting the response of social landlords. Nothing is certain at this stage with regard to these apartments. But we know that CROUS participate in KAPS next year through the apartments and rooms available to students, "Tiffany relativizes Koechlin, territorial delegate AFEV Paris.Laurie Hay, in charge of local development association AFEV Poitiers, gives more otpimistes figures: the number of units for the project KAPS in this city will double the autumn of 2011.

The Toulouse experience so far remains a single case in France, because it is housing, which owns the Town Hall. This facilitates all administrative procedures for obtaining housing and avoid going through intermediary structures. Other cities such as Bordeaux and Perpignan have already started looking for apartments in vacant city in order to transform it into the collocation projects KAPS, according to the association.

Nintendo 3DS landed Friday in the French shops. This portable game console that lets you play in relief, without needing to wear special glasses, is a boon for video game publishers. They swung their great success in 3D. It's a way to recycle old titles and launch new ones. Prices are driven up. The games will be sold between 45 and 50 euros. 5 to 10 euros more than the price of those of the previous generation.

During the presentation of the console, Satoru Iwata, Nintendo's CEO, indicated that a large number of publishers have decided to design specific titles for this console that render stereoscopic images. It is clear that the omen of the CEO is found.Alongside Nintendo (with three games Nintendogs), publishers Capcom (Street Fighter IV), Electronic Arts (Sims 3), Namco Bandai (Ridge Racer), Konami (PES 3D), LucasArts (Lego Star Wars III, The Clone Wars ), Sega (Super Monkey), Tecmo Koei (Samurai Warriors) and Ubisoft offering specific titles.

Among these actors, the French publisher is betting on a successful series of the 3DS. "The public, already extended by Nintendo with the DS, is expected to increase. The boot should be two times faster than the DS in the early years, "said Yves Guillemot, CEO of Ubisoft. Today, the French publisher will offer four of the fifteen titles available at launch for the handheld. Three of the four games have been developed at Ubisoft's fourth and its sister company, Gameloft, specializing in adaptations of games for smartphones and internet tablets.It was she who designed the race cars Asphalt 3D.

The French had also focused on the adaptations of Tom Clancy's universe, which has exclusive rights, with the stealth game Splinter Cell 3D and especially the strategy game Ghost Recon Shadow Wars, developed specifically for 3DS in studio Ubisoft Montreal.

A stronger anti-piracy

These songs contain small videos to stunning 3D graphics effects. In addition, the Rayman character, developed by the team of French Michel Ancel, gains in depth, with its version in relief. During the second phase of launch, which could happen in June, Ubisoft will also be the most prolific alongside Nintendo, especially with The Raving Rabbids.

This commitment to his backhand. A quarter of Ubisoft's revenue in 2008 was linked to games for the DS, the ancestor of 3DS, sold 130 million units worldwide.When sales fell because of piracy, the French publisher has suffered severely. With 3DS, "the anti-piracy mechanism was strengthened," says an editor who will not be more specific. The manufacturer is no more eloquent.

Anyway, the 3DS contains new communication features (challenges, blindly, in the street) or augmented reality games (using the camera to generate images in relief).

The costs of fund management Safely dropped a point in five years, reaching 3% in 2010. "Unbeatable for 400 billion euros in benefits provided to 360 premium collected," Judge Dominique Libault, Director of Social Security. "A form of performance" made possible primarily by the online services that reduce the "paperwork" to be treated while improving service (Pajemploi, CESU, Vitale Ameli.fr or to name the best known examples).

These productivity gains allow a policy close to the non-replacement of retiring in two applied to the state: 10,000 job cuts and less in Medicare and another 4,000 planned, workforce stability despite the CFO care benefits for civil servants and RSA no fax cash advances… In the end, the number of general system-level income "from 1976, according to Peter Mayer, director of CNAV.Other projects are underway: Medicare Expands Sophia, escort service for diabetics, an experiment takes place to optimize the treatment pathway after maternity … The branch family, she launched the site in 2009 my-enfant.fr to seek care arrangement. "Families find all the host schools, child-minders in 70 departments and a cost calculator," said Herve Drouet, its director.

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With the earthquake that devastated the island and the threat of nuclear catastrophe, Japan fears a massive repatriation of capital invested abroad by individuals and by businesses that would cause an immediate surge in the yen. That's what happened after the Kobe earthquake in 1995 where the Japanese currency had taken 15% against the U.S. dollar, finding himself at the highest in its history. But the movement seems already well underway.

This is one of two options for reforming the taxation of inheritance: the ease with EWB scale transformed. The other option is its abolition and its replacement by a new tax. The option for relief was undoubtedly the preference of parliamentarians.

Nevertheless, ISF smaller version has some drawbacks. Certainly, it helps to remove the tax on capital 300 000 households had entered because of soaring real estate, a total of 550,000 taxpayers. How? By starting the tax to 1.3 million euros of assets, against 800 000 today.

"However, households with assets of between 1.3 and 1.4 million would pay, those, about 500 euros EWB more with the new system. And this without even taking into account the impact of the end of the shield, warning the entourage of Gilles Carrez, the rapporteur UMP budget to the Assembly.One reason: the new fee would apply from the first euro of assets, while the current scale is progressive, which means, among other things, that the charging begins only 800 000 euros. Indeed, this tax from 1 euro combined with the new scale would lead to increased ISF those whose heritage is from 1.3 to 1.4 million. And alone. But this is unfortunate because he missed penalizes households "moderately" rich and encourages them to cheat to pass under the 1.3 million heritage.

Proposed adjustments

Therefore Bercy working to remove this bump EWB. "You can pass the threshold of entry to the TFR at 1.4 million, which would cost 100 to 200,000,000 to the State. Or reimburse these households the additional FSI, which underestimate the tax revenues under 40 million, "said Gilles Carrez's entourage.There remains one other category of households penalized by ISF lightened: the approximately 1,200 taxpayers in the last installment of ISF (over 16.8 million assets) activating the shield. "With the shield, the average tax rate of their assets was only 0.22%. With the new schedule and because of the end of the shield, it would rise to 0.5%, "says Gilles Carrez's entourage. An increase that does not seem to move Bercy.

"Overall, the tax rates of the new scale are so much lower (0.25 and 0.5% instead of 0.55% to 1.8%) that most taxpayers will see their bills go down even with the end of the shield, "says Valérie Harnois-Mussard, a lawyer with Fidal. In fact, for a wealth of 10 million, for example, the TFR would increase from 112 450 to 50 000 euros.

In Brussels

Ireland and other followers of the corporate tax can breathe a minimum: despite the Franco-German ambitions, the future "pact" of European competitiveness does not require them to raise their tax benefits. But the respite promises of short duration: in mid-March, the European Commission intends to deliver this explosive issue on the table, with the tacit support of Berlin and Paris. In the EU, the tax is a matter of national sovereignty, with the right of veto in the European sphere. Each state tax at will. Some heavy, some lighter in the image of Ireland.For a generation, Green Island was a sampling of 12.5% on profits (against 23% on average in the EU and 35% in the U.S.) one of the essential attractions of its strategy investment-oriented multinationals.

The tide turned last fall when Dublin came to the window to rescue the euro. On this occasion, Nicolas Sarkozy noted that Dublin could also replenish its coffers by looking for revenue wherever they are: "I can not imagine that our Irish friends do not use their flexibility, their taxes are lower than others ", he let go at the bend in October.

Harmonization

Since Angela Merkel took over by making a minimum taxation of benefits one of its key European Pact of competitiveness. "The market was clear: Germany and its financial strength will fly to the rescue of the euro and European countries in trouble if everyone holds itself home to a minimum of discipline free business cards. The corporate income tax and especially the convergence rates in the EU are part of the arsenal. With Ireland, four countries find themselves in the sights, both inside and outside the euro area: Cyprus, Luxembourg, the Czech Republic and Slovakia.

To obtain the necessary adhesion to the "pact" of seventeen of the euro area, the chairman Herman Van Rompuy and Angela Merkel have finally put some water in the Franco-German wine.The declaration to be submitted to the Summit of the euro on Friday in Brussels, commits the Heads of State and Government to restore order to public finances, but she advocated, explicitly, "without harmonization of tax rates."

Proponents of tax convergence has not said its last word. Five days later, on March 16, the Barroso Commission intends to relaunch the debate in another way: it wants to harmonize the tax base of corporation tax in the EU, that is to say providing a tool for Twenty-measure common to September Once established this barometer, it will be possible to establish a recognized scale. It is up to the big states, it is said in Brussels, then back to the political pressure against dumping tax.

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Madame Figaro continues its transformation. Starting today, it is available in both "pocket" that will remain on newsstands throughout the week, while the larger version will pack integrated into the weekend, with Le Figaro, Le Figaro Magazine and TV Magazine.

With this new pocket-sized, already widely adopted by other women, Madame Figaro hopes to broaden its distribution and its audience, especially among readers from 25 to 45 years. "One way we confront the issue sales in another way," says Marc Feuillée, general manager of Le Figaro. There is a real potential for a new "pocket" upscale."Tests conducted late 2010 showed that over one third of the buyers pocket size never read Madame Figaro and they do not know the brand," said Jean-Guillaume d'Ornano, director of the division Madam within the group Le Figaro.

Sold at an introductory price of 1 euro for three weeks, the "pocket" will then be offered 1.30 euros, up 1.50 or 1.70 euros for special issues. This launch will be supported by a promotional campaign, including TV (TF1 and Canal +) and retail outlets.

"2 million will be invested in this new product is a first for us," says Marc Feuillée.This significant investment demonstrates our commitment to strengthen our publications and take initiatives in a highly competitive environment. "The initial implementation will be 207,000 copies.

Additional territories

Associated with the weekend package, Madame Figaro is already the upscale women's most powerful with 429,079 copies paid France in 2010, according to OJD.

The objective set for Madame Figaro Pocket is to increase the combined sales of 5 to 10%, or 30,000 to 40,000 extra copies.

"The" pocket "does not cannibalize the" Madam, "says Jean-Guillaume d'Ornano. Instead, it will explore additional territories. " First at the distribution level because it will be present in the medium and large food stores, where the pack weekend is almost absent.Then, at the level of readership, since it should appeal to younger readers, urban and active.

Finally, in advertising, the weekly exposure of the title should appeal to existing advertisers and attract new ones.

The contents of the "pocket" will be exactly the same as that of large size. "The idea is to make the world more accessible luxury and avant-garde on which Madame has built its legitimacy," said Anne-Florence Schmitt, executive editor of Madame Figaro. The output of the "pocket" is accompanied by the provision of an application for iPad (0.79 euro download), after the launch of a new version of the website in December.

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"Mougeotte:" A new dynamic in 2011 "

Relegated to fifth in the world when he was number two behind General Motors in 2004, Ford, the only major U.S. manufacturer to have happened in Washington's help in 2009, returned to growth. It even displays an appetite of an ogre, with the goal of producing up to 8 million vehicles this year, against 5.3 million in 2010.

To support this ambition, the group's strategy rests on two pillars: "One Ford" and Sync. "One Ford" for the universal car pooling and industrial resources, sales and marketing group. Sync technology. The group invests heavily inspired by the universe created around smartphones and other mobile uses.

Indeed, earlier this week, while the motor show in Geneva in full swing, the CEO of Ford himself is in Hanover for the CeBIT, an electronics show.

LE FIGARO.- What is the importance of technology in the strategy of Ford? This change does your brand?

Alan Mulally. – Our brand has steadily improved over the last four or five years. Ford's strategy is to offer a full range of vehicles, from small city to the big family. Each being the best in its class and meet four criteria: quality, safety, reduced CO2 emissions, technological intelligence. All for a price accessible to the greatest number. What we can do with our size and standardization. The Ford Focus Sync is sold between 16,000 and 20,000 dollars, its European price has not yet been determined. Today, 70% of cars bought in the U.S. are equipped with our technology Sync, and 80% of people who use the recommended spontaneously to their surroundings. Ford Sync and MyTouch are real vectors of purchase.To borrow a metaphor from the world of smartphones, Ford is working with Microsoft and acts like Apple. Ford is the latest in mobile technology.

Why high-tech rather than low cost?

We want to be a leader in providing useful services for the driver. With our system, voice commands, the driver can access their phone, including his music, without ever leaving the road. We make the road safer. We started with 1000 voice commands, we are now at 10,000. Ultimately, it will be possible to have a real conversation with his car payday loans. All with simplicity. The car has no onboard equipment, it facilitates the connection of consumer electronic devices.

How does this fit into your strategy "One Ford"?

As you know, we sold our other brands to focus on Ford.This represented 45% of our sales a few years ago. It is almost 100% today, with a full range of vehicles. For this, we rely on our industrial platforms. Focus is produced in five plants worldwide and will be split into ten versions, with 80% common parts. The remaining 20% correspond to the necessary adaptations to local demands. We find the spirit of Henry Ford who wanted to reach the largest number of customers by sticking to their expectations.

Will this be enough for it to regain market share that you lost?

Ford sales have risen dramatically. The four pillars of our strategy are almost universal. Sync is a vector of purchase: consumers want to stay connected to their digital world. Yet there had never been on the market for small vehicles with many capabilities.We will continue our growth by responding better to the expectations of our customers. This year we aim to produce between 7.5 and 8 million vehicles worldwide. This is a tremendous increase in a year!

You are attached to environmental issues. What type of engine for the vehicle of tomorrow?

We improve the performance of our engines, both petrol and diesel, and we are developing both hybrid, plug-in hybrids and electric cars. The recent development is intrinsically linked to the electrical infrastructure, the ability to manage networks. This will require public-private partnerships. Electricity is also a solution for emerging countries seeking to secure their energy independence. Finally, in the longer term, I think the hydrogen engine.Everything will depend on technological advances in the field of batteries, but an engine that emits only water is fantastic!

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Asian markets are mostly in positive territory on Monday. As the United States and Europe, Asian markets seem to have temporarily turned the page file from Libya to the advantage of a lull in the oil markets.

In Japan, the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) has reported a 2.4% increase in January industrial production in the archipelago through improved production Auto. By comparison, the increase was 3.3% in December and 1% month on month in November, after a steady decline from June to October. In contrast, retail sales in Japan were flat in January (+0.1% yoy).

The Nikkei has rebounded, however, the slope after starting down 0.72%. The benchmark index of the Tokyo Stock Exchange ended the day with a rise of 0.92% to 10,624.09 points.The broader Topix index of his side finished the session with a gain of 0.99% to 951.27 points.

The growth of China and India under the microscope

In China, markets have also started in the red. The Shanghai Stock Exchange and Hong Kong lost 0.23% and respectively 0.36% in early trade. The operators were cooled by ads, this weekend, Prime Minister Wen Jiabao. The latter was thus delivered to a lower estimate than that usually given by the Chinese leadership by explaining that "in the five-year plan (2011-2015), we agreed to meet a growth target of 7%. However, the two stock markets managed to close in the green end of the session. Around 7 am, the Hang Seng is 0.79% and the Shanghai Composite gained 0.56%.

In India, the government has given an estimate of growth below expectations.The country registered a GDP growth of 8.2% from October to December in the year. In the previous quarter, July to September, posted a growth rate year on year by 8.9%, better than expected by analysts. The Sensex jumped by 1.43% despite everything.

Furthermore, only a few financial centers are declining. This is the case of South Korea's Kospi, which lost 0.95% or the S & P Australian loose 0.12%.

Oil rises slightly

Crude oil prices were to share the upside Monday in electronic trading in Asia against the growing instability in the Middle East, analysts said.

In morning trading, a barrel of light sweet crude for April delivery gained $ 1.66 to 99.54 dollars. That of Brent North Sea crude for April delivery took $ 1.28 to 113.42 dollars.