"If I am elected, I do not gèlerai, but I stoop down the salary of the president and ministers of 30%." By November 2011, Francois Hollande had made the campaign promise very symbolic, while Nicolas Sarkozy marked the spirits in increase of 172% net salary (of 7,084 to 19,331 euros) on arrival at the Elysee. Presented at the first cabinet meeting on Thursday by the new prime minister, Jean-Marc Ayrault, the measure was formally adopted, confirmed by several cabinet members. Accordingly, the president and ministers will have their wages fall by 30%. "This is exemplary," explained Jean-Marc Ayrault Wednesday on France 2. This measure will be a decree. But this law, which will not be adopted before June and the election of the National Assembly, "will be retroactive," said the spokesman of the government, Najat Belkacem-Vallaud. It is therefore effective "as of May 15" date of the nomination of Francis Holland as president.

The gross monthly salary of Ministers will therefore decrease of 14,200 euros per month, to 9,940 euros. That of the Prime Minister will also be trimmed from 21,300 euros to 14,910 euros gross. Like, finally, the compensation of the President of the Republic which is equivalent to the Prime Minister. With a plane that has a surprising consequence. Ex-Ministers continue to earn more than their successors for another six months. Indeed, each team member Francois Fillon retain his salary during this period. A privilege granted to all former ministers, who lose their theory, however, other benefits.

In the camp of the UMP, the reactions to this first measure of government have not kept waiting. Jean-Francois Cope, the party's general secretary, described the pay cut of "deception" on Twitter.

I denounce the imposture, the clannishness and demagoguery are the appointment of the first steps of @ fhollande ump.org / news / esp

. – Jean-Francois Cope (@ jf_cope) May 17, 2012

It explains, in a statement, the government has Ayrault "14 members of more" than the first Fillon government. "We go from 15 ministers, four secretaries of state and a High Commissioner to 34 ministers and deputy ministers, an increase of 65%. Wage cuts of 30% can not hide this fact: the government of Francois Hollande will be far more costly to the taxpayer. "

Largest decline in Europe

If they come later than in other European countries, this decline in compensation of government is by far the strongest. One of the first to take this measure, as he tried to impose on his country a vast austerity plan, was the Irish Prime Minister Brian Cowen. From 2009, he had reduced his salary and that of his ministers by 15%. In the process, in May 2010, Spain followed the movement by announcing a 15% reduction of salaries of its ministers. In the UK, the British prime minister, David Cameron, newly installed in power, his ministers imposed a 5% decrease in their pay. A dry diet made subsequently by Italy and Portugal, among others.

In Europe a constraint to fiscal Germany still appears a prosperous island. While the German economy grew by 2% annual rate in the first quarter, Angela Merkel and her ministers were granted for the first time in twelve years an increase of wages. The Cabinet decided on Wednesday to a 5.7% increase in three stages by August 2013, bringing the salary of Angela Merkel to about 17,016 euros gross per month and those of his ministers to about 13,795 euros.

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The auction winner will take over the shares of Bridgepoint funds (57% stake) and Apax (20%). Alain Afflelou he has planned to stay in the capital. It could even slightly increase its stake, now 22%. "This component has not yet been decided, it will depend on the nature of offers and future discussions with the fund that will prevail," says a close case.

The group, which produced last year a turnover of 785 million with 1,083 franchised stores, is valued around 800 million euros by connoisseurs of the file. To finance the purchase of three quarters of the capital, the next owner will have to fund raise around 300 million euros of debt. A challenge in the current, extremely volatile. The transfer operation, organized by the Banque Rothschild, commissioned last year, has proved complex enough to induce sellers to be cautious. "Bids are expected soon, said Didier Pascual, Chief Executive Alain Afflelou. But nothing is decided yet. The hypothesis of the IPO will remain open. "

A founder ubiquitous

The way back on the stock exchange, which would switch to vendors, if possible in the fall, when tenders found attractive can, was long regarded as the preferred option of management group, and especially its founder business

Apple has concerns for the rich. What to do with $ 100 billion in free cash? The question is more embarrassing than it seems for Apple. It happens more a presentation of results without the fuse questions from analysts on the subject. They call for the resumption of dividend-practice abandoned by a moribund Apple in 1995 – the establishment of a share buyback program or acquisitions. Even Tim Cook, Apple chief executive, admitted late February that his group has "too much cash", fueling rumors of a possible resumption of dividends. But this is not so simple.

Two-thirds of the cash Apple are outside the United States. The repatriation of this war chest, including the form of dividends, would have a huge fiscal cost. It could cost more than $ 22 billion in taxes, according to Bespoke Investment Group. The geographic dispersion of cash Apple is primarily due to its organization based on many subsidiaries abroad. With a first consequence: some countries, like China or Russia, limit lift cash. Apple is "sentenced" to spend there or all of the profits.

But the Californian company is also a willing victim in other territories. As Microsoft or Google, Apple has found his tax haven in Ireland. A small expatriation that allows Apple to display an average tax rate of 24.2% worldwide for its fiscal year 2011. Ten points lower than the average tax rate for U.S. companies.

This type of organization, however, has absolutely nothing special. All multinationals, or almost, have adopted the same legal and tax scheme. This selection draws the ire of American protest groups, who dream of seeing repatriated profits and taxed in the United States. Faced with these attacks, such multinationals, united in a group called Win America, do not hesitate to conduct intensive lobbying campaigns aimed at getting a tax amnesty.

More acquisitions

Failing to do this, each brings its solutions. For Apple, it passes through acquisitions of companies abroad. End of 2011, the U.S. has set his sights on Anobit, an Israeli start-up specializing in flash memory, paid $ 500 million. A transaction modest by Apple, but the most important of the last fifteen years. And that could foreshadow other. Apple also raised equity investments in production facilities in Asia, which would also be a way to secure its supplies. To takeovers abroad could finally be added that of patent portfolios. Apple has already completed several major transactions in this area, although for the moment, they were all performed in the United States.

Finally, the development of Apple Store (owned stores) is a good way to reinvest the cash. Tim Cook, Apple chief executive, has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthen the distribution network. Since we do lend to the rich, there is talk now of the upcoming Apple Store opening on the Champs-Elysees.

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As soon as the telecom regulator (ARCEP) she reiterated that Free Mobile fulfilling its obligations in terms of coverage, the network of the new telephone is again controversial. He knows since Friday morning strong disturbances that affect customer communications. The magnitude of the incident remains unknown, Iliad, the parent of Free, refused to give details. But for France Telecom, under contract to Free Mobile, it would be a "major incident".

Disturbances may be caused by the failure of one of the two "signaling equipment" Free Mobile needed to find the phones.

Orange wants to keep his distance. The incumbent is linked to Free Mobile "a roaming agreement" which allows customers to use the Free Orange network in areas where Free has not yet developed its own coverage. "Free us informed in the late morning of an incident on its network equipment. This incident is in no way related to the contract of homelessness in Orange network, "said a spokesman for France Telecom fast cash loans.

No "quality testing service"

The incident revived the controversy over the quality of service of the fourth mobile operator. Tuesday, Arcep confirmed before an Assembly committee that Free Mobile covered at least 27% of the French population, a regulatory requirement for anyone holding a mobile telephone license. The regulatory authority, however, that it had made "coverage tests" and not "test quality of service."

For other telephone companies, possess Free Mobile Network "cheap" or "empty". They accuse him and his relay off voluntarily and not to develop its infrastructure to rest on those of Orange, better and more extensive. It is estimated that over 90% of calls made by customers Free pass through its network.

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The European Investment Bank (EIB) – the financial arm of the European Union – has granted 61 billion in new loans to about 70 countries in 2011. A level down compared to the historical peak reached in 2009 (79 billion euros), years during which the Bank was actively involved in the economic recovery of the Old Continent. But a level that remains particularly high compared to the average pre-crisis.

Most of these loans – 54 billion on 61 – was awarded to Europe. One way for the EIB to support the activity declining in Europe. In this context, France has been particularly well served. The Hexagon has received over 5 billion euros in loans, representing 9.2% of EU commitments. A figure up from 7.78% awarded in 2010.

Research projects

The Bank took part in the financing of the LGV Sud Europe Atlantique, TGV and Britain Pays de la Loire. It has also been associated with the electric car developed by the Bolloré Group and funded to the tune of 100 million euros of joint research projects with Pierre Fabre Laboratories.

Outside of the European Union, the EIB lent 7 billion in accession countries and has been linked directly to the Partnership in Deauville, which followed the Arab Spring. Nearly 1 billion euros in loans have been granted to the private sector in 2011, especially for infrastructure development in Arab countries that experienced democratic revolution.

Made with a hidden camera and broadcast for the first time Friday on ABC, the video was shot by Mercy for Animals Association (Pity for animals) in a poultry farm in Minnesota "Sparbo Egg Farms" .

Half a solution for excess fees

MEPs adopted an amendment to try to remedy the excess fees excessive. They left until the end of January to physicians, the social security and complementary health for themselves conclude this endless soap opera.

These doctors are the "fall guy," said Yves Bur UMP. Xavier Bertrand has promised, without further detail, to consider their case, "that they are not satisfied with a handshake." The Minister of Health has recognized, with several members of the left and right, that the real problem was the insufficient appreciation rates Safely surgeons for years low fee cash advance. But open the sector a future system would have displeased the French Mutuality and part of the majority. The Bloc, the majority among specialists involved, says it is ready to discuss, exchange, regulation of excess fees in sector 2.

Abandonment of the CSG on parental leave

The idea was unanimously against it: the government has decided not to submit to a CSG 6.2% of compensation paid in case of parental leave.And are defrauded to the detriment of social organizations will be excluded from debt cancellation plans in case of insolvency.

Cooling-off period on sick leave benefits

The government had reduced by 6% allowances of sick leave, saving 220 million. Outcry, including the right, Yves Bur proposed an alternative: a fourth day waiting period before paying those benefits. It would cost to low-wage "twenty euros, once a stop, instead of 30 or 40 euros a month," he said. People in long illness would be less penalized, unlike those that increase stops short. Xavier Bertrand has promised to think about before the final vote of the text.

Monday, Wall Street had already finished in the green.

Since the beginning of the week, investors in Europe and the United States, is won over by a wave of optimism about the outcome of the crisis of sovereign debt. "The beginning of the week is placed under the sign of hope. Investors have decided to give credit to European policy makers and international willingness to find ways to resolve the sovereign debt crisis, "economists observe in Paris broker Aurel BGC. There are "high hopes that one is engaged in the right direction towards resolving the debt crisis in Europe," say experts on their side LBBW. Other analysts, however, want to caution.The strategists of the Crédit Mutuel-CIC believe that "the improvement should not last as rumors seem exaggerated. The expansion of EFSF does not solve the structural problems in Europe, while the challenge is there. "

The spokesperson of European Commissioner for Economic Affairs Olli Rehn, Europe is considering strengthening the capacity of the European support fund for countries in trouble (EFSF). Rumors press also reported a proposed quadrupling of the Fund's lending capacity to 2000 billion euros. In turn, an official of the ECB, the Austrian Ewald Nowotny, did not rule out declines in interest rates in the euro area.But soon, the German Finance Minister Wolfgang Schäuble assured that Europeans had "no intention of bailing out" the EFSF.

Political leaders are still clearly divided on the responses to the debt crisis, while discussions on the payment of a new international loan to Greece, vital to enable it to avoid bankruptcy dragged on. At the same time discontent rises and Athens was again paralyzed Tuesday by a wave of strikes in public transport.

Oil opened up in New York

The euro was weakening on Tuesday to below $ 1.35. Mileu in the day, the euro stood at 1.3496 dollars, against 1.3523 dollars late Monday.He had fallen in session Monday to 1.3363 dollars, its lowest level since mid-January, prior to recover.

As for commodities, gold has recovered slightly this morning at 1640 dollars an ounce after declining over the last three sessions. Oil falls sharply higher this morning in Asian trade after having dropped more than eight dollars last week. Oil prices were moving up sharply at the opening Tuesday in New York, driven by renewed optimism for the determination of the Europeans to resolve the debt crisis in the eurozone business cards design.On the New York Mercantile Exchange (Nymex), a barrel of "light sweet crude" for November delivery traded at 82.64 dollars, up by $ 2.40 at the close on Monday night.

On the macroeconomic front, house prices in the United States remained stable in July compared with June, according to Case-Shiller survey released Tuesday by Standard and Poor's. The study, however, that over-year, declining home prices for sale widened in July to 4.1%, down less pronounced than the analysts thought.

As for values ​​to be followed on Tuesday:

As for values, Goldman Sachs will intensify its restructuring efforts, after a disastrous third quarter, which could be one of the worst ever recorded by the U.S. investment bank since it went public 12 years ago, says the New York Times.Goldman Sachs will be 1.2 billion to $ 1.45 billion savings goal of operation by mid-2012, the paper said on its website, citing unnamed people familiar with the matter.

The mysterious tablet that the online retailer Amazon.com Wednesday could present promises to be a star among the products' high-tech "of the season, even though the Seattle group has not yet revealed existence.Amazon Wednesday invited reporters to an event which he kept secret the subject, organized in a video production and music in Hell's Kitchen neighborhood of Manhattan.

Motorola Solutions is within the scope of an investigation by U.S. authorities, according to the Wall Street Journal, concerning a possible corruption in the course of its business in Europe.

The Anglo-Australian mining giant Rio Tinto, listed on Wall Street, announced Tuesday it had increased to 49% its stake in Canada's Ivanhoe Mines, the upper limit is included in an agreement between the two groups that intend to operate an entire mine copper and gold in Mongolia.

ONEOK announced expect to achieve a net profit of between 355 and 400 million in 2012, against 325 to 345,000,000 dollars in 2011.For its part, ONEOK Partners expects a net 740 to $ 800 million for the year 2012 against 630 to 660,000,000 for the year 2011, while natural gas volumes processed are expected to increase more than expected.

Also note, Standard & Poor's is within the scope of an investigation by the SEC, the U.S. stock market regulator, who questioned its rating of an issue of structured securities in 2007 just before the market collapse real estate, announced its parent company McGraw-Hill.

A situation that the political leaders finally responded. "A nationalization of French banks is totally premature and beside the point," said this morning the Minister of Industry, Eric Besson, on RMC / BFM TV. The latter said that the banks have "very well" stress tests Europe last summer.

If right, then we answer in the negative, this is not the case on the side of the Socialist Party.Thus, to François Hollande, the Socialist candidate for the primary, "If it happened that there is a lack of Greece and the banks are brought to realize losses, there would be an appeal to the State, as in the subprime crisis. The state should not lend to banks, but must take a stake in their capital, "he told the Journal du Dimanche.

"The banks have lied to us in 2008"

For their part, EU officials remain confident in the strength of French banks. The President of the European Central Bank, Jean-Claude Trichet, has confirmed that central banks were ready to provide liquidity to banks should they need it cash advance loan. "Whatever the scenario Greek and therefore regardless of the provisions to go, French banks have the means to cope," said Christian Noyer, Governor of the Bank of France.

What some experts do not agree. "Banks have lied in 2008 and probably still hiding toxic chemicals in their balance sheets," said Marc Fiorentino, CEO of Monfinancier.com, the JDD. Societe Generale has just announced a new savings plan which relate primarily toxic assets, mainly U.S., made unwanted by the financial crisis and the explosion of the market "subprime" U.S..

For the expert, "The State must enter the capital of French banks up to 30%." Which he said would cost taxpayers between 50 and 100 billion euros. Same story on the side of Dessertine Philippe, Director of the Institute of High Finance. "The state is the only one who can help banks recapitalize," he says.The question is how the state will fund this operation and especially if nationalization does not require that other European countries do the same.

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