International News

 

M6 surfs his good hearing and displays good financial health. The group chaired by Nicolas de Tavernost said Thursday, a consolidated turnover up 3.6% in the first quarter of 2012, to 355.1 million euros. It is true that this growth owes much to self-advertising group, which rose by 3.2%. Starting with the audiovisual rights activity that benefited from the success of Twilight 4 video. But despite the sluggish market, the advertising revenue of the group grew by nearly 4%.

Even the M6, the flagship, can boast of an increase in advertising revenues in the first quarter from 1.5% to 164.5 million euros. Growth that relies on good audience ratings of structured grid around a solid prime-time thanks to JT "19 h 45 'and household scenes, but also a few key programs that Whether it is "Top Chef", magazines such as "Capital" and, finally, American series that still make the gravy chain. With an average audience share of 11.6%, M6 is thus gradually became the third chain of the audiovisual landscape.

What it can an aggressive advertising policy based on maintaining or even increase, its rates, where most incumbents rely on the flexibility in trading conditions. Proof: according to Kantar Media Institute, the volume of the M6 ​​channel advertising declined 14.2% over the period, while its gross revenues (excluding negotiations and regressive) increased.

Rate increase

This means that the group has increased the value of its screens. By comparison, TF1, whose gross receipts would not progress to the first quarter shows an increase of its volume of 3.4% pub. The first private channel is also best bidder in number of spots.

More generally, the history of television market has seen in France in the first quarter a decline in overall volume of 7.5%, according to Kantar Media. If the market does not collapse, it is primarily due to the dynamism of the new DTT channels. In its latest monthly report, the Institute notes that "this segment remains solid in value in March (16.7%) but stabilizes its activity by volume (0.3%). Cumulatively, the DTT channels grew three times faster than all channels (23.2%). "

A trend that is well reflected in the number of commercial digital channels M6 group – mainly W9 – which increased by 16% in the first quarter, to 38.1 million euros.

As for the coming months, the media buying specialists adopt a conservative position. Havas Media, a subsidiary of Havas, setting a trend of 0.9% of the TV market in the second quarter. In other words, the line thickness. The media agency fears the arrival of "a two-tier market that is expected to exacerbate the end of the year and in 2013 with the arrival of six new HD channels TNT in the fall. The fragmentation of audiences is going to intensify, increasing the risk to players on the market, "she argues.

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A standard feature of life insurance quotes is a set of written terms and conditions which set out whether the policy being sought is a term policy or a permanent one.

 

For the second time since 2009, Spain fell into recession. The Spanish economy has indeed contracted 0.3% in first quarter 2012 compared to end 2011, according to preliminary official figures released Monday. It is however slightly better than expected: the Spanish Central Bank expected a 0.4% decline in activity over the period.

After degradation of the Spanish note by Standard & Poor's, the publication of a record unemployment rate in March and fears more acute in the health of banks, the bad news accumulates in Madrid.

In the first quarter of 2012, only exports and tourism have supported activity. But their strength was more than offset by the effects of the austerity plan introduced by the center-right government of Mariano Rajoy, of unprecedented severity. Moreover, the cleanup of a long over-indebted economy, household businesses through the state, beating down domestic consumption. The proposed increase in VAT, under pressure from the International Monetary Fund, should accentuate this trend.

"The austerity trap"

So much so that the International Labor Organization (ILO), in its report published on Monday, sets up Spain as an example not to follow a policy solely focused on rigor. She stressed that "the deficit was reduced by just over 9% of GDP in 2010 to 8.5% of GDP in 2011: a very small reduction after a drastic austerity program." For 2012, the government had to moderate its deficit reduction target, it expects to either 4.4% but 5.3% of GDP, given the deteriorating situation. For the ILO, "the trap of austerity is being shut down."

The Spanish economy should continue to suffer, economists fear. "We expect an acceleration of the recession in the coming quarters, in parallel with the rise of austerity measures," said Evelyn Herrmann, economist at BNP Paribas. "Things should get worse before it gets better," says Martin van Vliet, of ING Bank.

Unemployment, already at a record level of 24.44%, should continue to climb. It should eventually reach more of an asset over four in Spain, provides the analyst consensus. Symbol of the Spanish slump, the construction industry, long time driver of the economy because of swelling of the housing bubble, should continue to lay off. It accounts for another 9% of employment, against 6% on average in the eurozone.  

Fears on banks

"The worsening situation on the labor market will have a particularly negative impact on banks," notes Ricardo Santos, an expert in Southern Europe at BNP Paribas. "The share of loans" non-performing "(that is to say, threatening never to be repaid, Ed) is expected to increase and represent 9% in late 2012." To which are added 176 billion euros inventory of buildings and land "problem", that is to say to the uncertain value, as counted from the Spanish Central Bank. Country's only hope in the short term, the "Marshall Plan" for growth in project and unveiled in Brussels on Saturday by the daily El Pais. According to him, he is expected to reach 200 billion euros, or 4% of GDP of the European Union. But Brussels has denied, insisting that these figures "had no basis."  

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A report to simplify life in rural areas and make them more attractive. "Currently there are 9000 400 000 laws and regulatory standards that apply interchangeably in rural areas or urban! It's too, should be appropriate standards, "Storm-A-Pierre Morel The Bailiff, MP for Lozere, at the head of a report co-authored with three other rural UMP parliamentarians, whose elected mayennais Yannick Favennec.

Rural areas, it is 80% of the territory, and nearly a quarter of the French population lives there. Water, urban planning, health, education, digital, public services, all sectors of everyday rural life have been scrutinized by the authors. They interviewed 4,000 people during their investigation.

Among the hundreds of measures recommended in this 280-page report commissioned by the President in October to calm the revolt of rural representatives of the UMP, after the defeat of a majority in the Senate, eight draw particular attention . "The first demand of rural residents is access to high speed, said Pierre Morel-A-The Bailiff. We must ensure, through the process of deploying high-speed Internet, a balance between dense and sparse areas across the country. "Meanwhile, the mission says it takes" expand the service to Wi-Fi in the contact points of the Post Office working closely with local authorities who find themselves in white areas. "

Medical deserts

Regarding the best water management, the mission recommends that for "every individual and group reservations hill with a capacity less than 50,000 m3, a simplified procedure is implemented." The water law codes apply where 7, discourages such projects. "But the real usefulness appears both in agriculture and the public authorities (fire reserves, protection …)."

To enhance access to care and fight against deserts medical, the authors recommend such "compulsory internship for interns in rural areas, enough times to encourage customers during retirement."

To strengthen the utility grid, "we must set up kiosks type video, with a scanner to facilitate all the steps with an official or government and 18 companies such as EDF, GDF, DDT or employment center."

It is also proposed to extend the network of bank ATMs in the territories under-equipped. To keep more rural schools, elected officials indicate that it would "account for children from 2 years and not three years." Urban planning, the authors recommend "provide prior notification of buildings less than 8 m2 5 m2 cons now." Still, the MP Pierre Morel-A-The Bailiff is confident that these measures are applied regardless of the next tenant of the Elysee. He worked with his colleague PS, Michel VERGNIER, the Rural Committee of the Association of Mayors of France.

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"Sarkozy wants to control spending communities

 

Since formalizing his candidacy on February 15, Nicolas Sarkozy deseeded dozens of proposals, with its compiled in a campaign document, as an accurate, encrypted, presented Thursday. According to his entourage, the president candidate could submit a new "strong measure" in the social field. Earlier this week, Nicolas Sarkozy has indicated that its entire program will ask for 115 billion euros to the French effort, spending about 75 billion, 40 billion on revenue.

Nicolas Sarkozy also has his "letter to the French," in which he exhibited his "values" and his "vision of France" by the year 2017. This document, published in several million copies, will be distributed "by activist," says his entourage. On the first page of the 36-page document, is a sentence written in manuscript by Nicolas Sarkozy: "My fellow Americans, there is nothing more beautiful than the love of his country." "My goal is clear: France to build a strong enough in the next five years (…), yes reconcile France and France's failure" to the European referendum in 2005, Nicolas Sarkozy said.

• Economy and Public Finance

"" All my proposals are built around one goal: the balance of public finances in 2016, "said Nicolas Sarkozy. He confirmed in his project a French public deficit has 0% of gross domestic product (GDP) in 2016 and a surplus of 0.5% in 2017. Incumbent President states in his proposed reduction of the French public debt to 80.2% in 2017 instead of 85.8% in 2011 with European commitments.

"To achieve the deficit targets, the tax burden will increase from 43.8% of GDP in 2011 to 45.6% in 2017 in France. Nicolas Sarkozy plans in its plan to cut public spending in France to 51.9% of GDP in 2017 instead of 55.9% in 2011.

"Nicolas Sarkozy has acknowledged that 115 billion effort is needed over five years. "I have to add the 9.5 billion campaign proposals," he added. This brings the total effort of 124 billion. Three quarters will focus on reducing expenses, the remainder of the revenue, insisted the president candidate, as he had already announced.

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To guard against the resurgence of robberies and burglaries, petty traders are increasingly likely to opt for these cases of a new genus. Invented some twenty years in Sweden, one in 3000 has settled in France. Since banks and hypermarkets are equipped with powerful anti-theft devices to protect themselves, offenders are folded over the shops, where people pay in cash.

According to the Confederation of tobacconists, which represents 28,000 professionals in France, 1,176 tobacconists have been leveled at their institution at least once in 2011. With 95% of payments made in cash and hundreds of transactions per day, bakeries are also at the forefront.

This benefits two leading suppliers of anti-steering boxes, Swedish and German CashGuard Wincor Nixdorf, which both claim the leading position in France. CashGuard has already installed 687 systems in France, with 170 orders for the first half of 2012, according to Laurent Jamin, director of the French subsidiary of the company while Wincor Nixdorf, associated with the French Gervais WTO celebrated in Paris in mid-December the hundredth bakery equipped its devices.

More efficient, hygienic

These boxes which have the appearance of a large piggy bank are placed on the counter or directly integrated into the cash desk. And calculates the machine makes the currency in a time close to the second. The principle is simple: once the price announced by the merchant, the customer slips his coins in a slot or a note inserted in a swallower that detects and filters out spurious, all landing in a sealed box quick payday loan.

In addition to safety, this system has the advantage of eliminating any errors in cash and allow an immediate calculation of the recipe. The currency board is closed, no employee has access to cash which prevents internal theft faced by all traders. They generally find an increase in their sales after the installation of these machines. These boxes are also hygienic: the sellers no longer have to handle cash and food. If these smart boxes and inviolable may discourage some robbers, they have a cost. With the purchase, depending on the model and the management software you choose, it takes between 20,000 and 25,000 euros while in rent, the daily cost between 20 and 30 euros.

For Carole Poulain, who owns a bakery in the 15th arrondissement of Paris, this device has made an improvement in the management of his business every day. But the customers they meet there? "If initial attempts are a little hesitant, customers get used to it and take the hand" recognizes the owner. This new automated payment system does not, however, unanimously, some recalcitrant regretting the loss of human exchange in favor of technology.

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Since the tsunami of 11 March and the Fukushima nuclear disaster, the Japanese atomic reactors were arrested, one after the other to be auscultated. Today, on the fifty-four boilers that supplied 28% of electricity in the Archipelago, only two work. And they should, they also stop in April to be tested for safety.

The streets of Tokyo shine though all their neon lights, and the life of the megalopolis of 35 million people saw the usual pace of its thousands of trains daily. Certainly, the corridors of Meti, the Ministry of Economy, are left in the dark, for an example. But the great campaign to save energy this summer ended.

This return to almost normal life despite the closure of fifty-two reactors, Japan pays a high price. Imports of oil and gas only for rotating thermal power plants in 2011 jumped by 77% and 18%. For the first time in thirty-one years, Japan had a trade deficit in 2011, 24 billion euros. And began the year with a record monthly deficit of 15 billion euros for the month of January, dug by the price of crude.

In this context, the government and power companies do not hide their desire: to restart nuclear plants faster. Large industrial fear a surge in the cost per kilowatt hour are pushing in this direction. The electrician Tepco, which operated the plant in Fukushima Daiichi and navigates to the brink of bankruptcy, announced an increase in its rates 17% for its major customers.

Restart nuclear facilities, just a year after the nuclear accident which forced 100,000 people to evacuate contaminated area? "For the Japanese, it's almost existential debate," says a French expert on energy, visiting Tokyo. The surveys that follow indicate that the majority of the population wants a nuclear phase-out.

Breach of trust

Reflecting Yuichiro Yonei, student 23 years specializing in energy met at the University of Tsukuba, who lived on March 11 as "a break" pay day loans. The young man, who no longer has confidence in the government's word on disaster management Fukushima, became antinuclear. Many young people who share his position on social networks come to sign the petitions in the tent erected militants since the fall before the Ministry of Economy.

The government Yoshihiko Noda walking on eggshells. It will not go into force. Formally, it does not need the green light of regional governors, elected, but nevertheless takes shelter behind them. To restore confidence, after pointing a report of TEPCO and failures of government, the government is reforming the nuclear safety authority, discredited.

Sixteen reactors only have registered for "stress test". Two of them, Ohi 3 and 4, have been deemed suitable by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and could be the first to restart.

The government plans to present in June or July of its energy strategy for the coming years. "We must remove our dependence on nuclear power and build medium to long term a company that will not have to rely on this energy," said the Prime Minister Noda Saturday.

By the summer season of peak power consumption due to the massive use of air conditioning, the Japanese will have to make tough choices: restart their nuclear reactors or pay the current high price; suffer outages new current or reduce their consumption of 10 to 15%.

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McDonald's could have done this new scandal. Committed for 10 years in a campaign to improve its image and to defend the quality of its products, the giant U.S. fast food undergoes further attacks of his detractors. At issue this time, the treatment of chickens by a subcontractor of the group providing the eggs used in the preparation of McDonald's products. The title of the video is unequivocal: "McDonald's, the truth rotten egg McMuffin"

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" .

The general crisis of confidence in the financial system can benefit the socially responsible investment (SRI), this offer of investment products which, in the traditional financial measures, add the dimensions called ESG (environmental, social / societal, governance) ? At first glance, yes. Assets invested in SRI in France have soared in recent years. End of 2010, they reached 68.3 billion euros, against 50.7 billion in late 2009, an increase of 35%. And the year 2011 looks very good. According Novethic, a subsidiary of Caisse des Dépôts, which publishes research and analysis on the SRI market since 2001, these assets had already reached 47 billion euros at the end of June.

Small flat, struggling to win these investments from individuals.Institutional clients (pension and insurance plans, public pension funds, private insurance companies, mutual companies, etc..) Still accounted for 70% of SRI assets in late 2010. A study conducted by Ipsos agency for non-financial rating Eiris * 60% of French investors, however, now give prominence to environmental, social and ethical issues in their investment decisions. But 64% of respondents have never heard of SRI, and only 9% are on the page.

Latent demand unsatisfied

"There is a latent demand unmet in a number of individual investors now significant," says Marion de Marcillac, responsible for developing the French office of EIRIS.This view is shared Bertrand Fournier, president of the Forum for Responsible Investment (FIR): "The offer is not visible and distribution networks do not talk about SRI." For Nathalie Kosciusko-Morizet, Minister Ecology and Sustainable Development, however, the context is conducive to flight. "SRI is probably an answer to the financial and banking crisis we are experiencing," said the minister during the presentation of the study, on October 6. "Reconnect citizens with finance is a vast undertaking, which requires industrial issues to reconnect with the financial issues and give concrete meaning to financial products," she said.

Therefore Nathalie Kosciusko-Morizet calls to market players, foremost among banks and insurers, to commit themselves to "promote a responsible offer of financial investments."She stressed the need to provide transparent information to individuals, especially as the multiplicity of approaches to SRI in Europe scrambles some tracks. In France, the multi-criteria approach called "Best in Class" prevails. This is to select the best companies in each sector according to the famous ESG. Anglo-Saxons and Scandinavians, in turn, prefer a strategy of exclusion. In this case, certain industries such as armaments or tobacco, are simply discarded SRI funds.

The French approach in question

According to EIRIS survey, 36% of French investors said they were very tempted by an approach that would exclude certain companies because of the nature of their activities or practices such as child labor. Only 19% of respondents say they are, however, very tempted by the method of "Best in Class".Nathalie Kosciusko-Morizet, "no subject is taboo. The 'Week of SRI' * is an opportunity to initiate discussions, particularly on the definition of criteria for responsible investing. "

* Survey conducted among a sample of 1040 French adults aged 16-64 years from 16 to 19 September 2011.

* The second edition of the "Week of the Socially Responsible Investment" will run from October 10 to 16, under the Ministry of Ecology and Sustainable Development.

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The entrance to the rugby in the professional world is not always without its pitfalls, far away … Proof of this is the last statement from Steve Tew, the CEO of the Federation of New Zealand rugby. Wednesday, the leader has put his foot in it by suggesting that his selection would be deprived of the next World Cup in 2015 in England. A heresy in the land of rugby!

Bluff or not, this threat reveals the uneasiness of the Federation kiwi affected financially by the organization of the current World Cup. Certainly, the event is almost historic land of the long white cloud. But the financial benefits expected from this great mass of world rugby is limited. In the end, New Zealand will lose even money (about 39 million New Zealand dollars, or 22.33 million euros).The New Zealand government will pay part of the losses, but the federation itself will also put their hands in the pocket to the tune of two thirds of the money lost.

Shortfall of 7.5 million euros

However, these losses are organizing a one-time difficulties. Because the real malaise lies elsewhere. Steve Tew, it's participation in the competition itself that is the problem. Every 4 years, federations qualified in the northern hemisphere and the south need to change their schedule (suppression test matches, shortening the Tri Nations tournament …). What cause a shortfall in terms of result and television advertising revenue and ticket sales. This year's Tri-Nations tournament, in which compete each year in New Zealand, Australia and South Africa, for example, was reduced from nine to six games due to World Cup.In Europe, the fall tours were also canceled.

In a World trade rules of the International Rugby Board (IRB) also prohibit the presence of the sponsors of the national federations. This accentuates the downward pressure on commercial benefits. In the end, the Federation of New Zealand (NZRU) said the shortfall related to participation in a 13 million New Zealand dollars (7.5 million). Great on a budget of around 55 million euros. A price she can afford all four years, according to Steve Tew.

If they win the All-Blacks, the players would receive such a bonus of 55,000 euros, depending on the site sportune.fr. Barely more than the French players to touch the earth just move in New Zealand (45,000 euros).If they win the XV of France, the French would also reward of 180,000 euros extra.

Australia to support

In his threat to boycott, leaders of New Zealand have received support from their neighbor Australia. For its part, the Australian Federation (ARU) said the losses associated with participation in the World Cup to 16 million Australian dollars (about 11.5 million euros). All federations combined, the overall shortfall would reach between 35 and 40 million pounds (40 to 16 million euros). "As noted by Steve Tew, the current economic model is unacceptable and can not be encouraged," said the general manager of the ARU, John O'Neill.We ask the IRB to resolve the problem quickly, because as a national federation, the ARU can not afford to have huge losses every four years. "

For many, the threat of New Zealand is not serious, its national team can not really do without the visibility provided by the participation in the World Cup. But the argument did fly, the IRB had promised the opening of discussions after the World Cup to avoid a radical decision.

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This is a severe blow to Samsung and a victory for Apple. This may well be a mere confirmation of a judicial decision made in August, the pill is no less bitter for the Korean manufacturer who is outright ban the marketing of its top shelf, the Galaxy Tab 10.1. It "presents an overall appearance similar" to that of the iPad, according to the German judge seized of the matter.

Such a decision is worrying Samsung that focused on this tablet to boost this market. It means that beyond the patents on technical issues, courts are increasingly sensitive to another argument, visible to the naked eye: the appearance of the product design.The German decision comes two weeks after a Dutch court has taken a similar decision, and while litigation between Samsung and Apple are in the United States, Korea and Australia, where the Apple brand has already achieved a first favorable ruling.

For now, Samsung is still able to sell the Galaxy Tab in other European countries, and do not hesitate to do much advertising best payday advance. The Court of Düsseldorf has finally found not competent to prohibit the marketing of the Galaxy Tab across Europe. Nothing prevents Apple to take legal or other countries. The U.S. has also filed a complaint against Samsung for the same reasons, September 8 in Japan.

This offensive against Samsung, which is otherwise also one of its major suppliers, enabling Apple to establish its supremacy on the market shelves, which he holds from 70 to 80% with both iPad.The Galaxy Tab 10.1 was seen as the most serious rival. By preventing the market, Apple terminated the debate … that takes a different turn on the Internet, with netizens concerned about the relentlessness of Apple, who made his reputation by being the anti hegemony of Microsoft, which builds on present its own hegemony with a lot of trial and eco closed system.