International & World Report

An error of a few grams but is heavy in the wallet of the consumers. At the request of the Minister of Industry, Eric Besson, thirty center agents associated with the regional business competition, consumption, labor and employment (Direccte), inspected the measuring devices of 2800 semi-wholesalers and wholesalers (20% of the sector) during the months of September and October. Objective: To verify that the threads of clementines or roast veal in trays are much the weight indicated. More than 9000 scales, sorters, wrappers and scales were inspected. The results are edifying. According to the Saturday edition of Le Parisien-Aujourd'hui en France, a five-machine would be set incorrectly, often at the expense of the customer.

Experts allow a margin of error of 1 gram per kilo.According to Marc Le Parco, national coordinator of the verification campaign, was quoted as saying. The slightest irregularity can quickly take on dramatic proportions. Few grams of each product purchased and the financial impact is significant for the home … especially in times of crisis where some households are very fragile.

Cell specific investigation, however, that this dysfunction is not necessarily a desire to mislead the customer. In most cases this is due more to negligence because companies often delay their legal control instruments, or even eventually forget them. Initially, agents are content therefore to discipline professionals. A record is then written in the second offense.

Finding affordable health insurance that meets the needs of you and your family can be a daunting task anywhere in the United States.

The week ended as it began in the Paris Bourse: down sharply. The index yielded 2.25% at 3123.55 points Friday and 6.53% for the week. London yielded 0.33% and 2.72% Frankfurt. The last five trading days have been eventful. Markets had initially plunged after the surprise announcement of the referendum in Greece. On Tuesday, the CAC 0 was 5.38% in currency a record for a holiday close to 5 billion euros. Optimism returned Thursday afternoon after the Greek Prime Minister George Papandreou raised the possibility to withdraw the draft and for the surprise decision of the European Central Bank lowered its key rate.

Weekend difficult to predict for Air France and its passengers. Without an agreement this week with management on working conditions for cabin crew, six of seven unions called the stewards and stewardesses 15,000 to go on strike for the weekend of All Saints, usually very busy.

Traffic would be disrupted from Saturday, October 29 until Wednesday, November 2 included online payday advance. The airline plans to provide 80% of flights, but stresses that "considerable uncertainty remains about the level of participation of the cabin crew." These are not actually required to prevent the direction of their intentions.

In 2007, a similar strike – triggered by the same six unions to the same period of All Saints – had caused major disruptions.

From our correspondent in Brussels

For the euro, auctions have never been so high. The Heads of State or Government rejected twice by the end of the game. They meet Wednesday night to decide on a "package" massive enough to stop the contagion of debt, no more poor national treasuries and banks already weakened by the crisis.

Prime Minister François Fillon asked Tuesday the issues preventing a failure "could push the European continent to unknown lands." The common currency is, with the single market, the cement of the EU. Dramatization, she stretches under the gaze of politicians: in Rome, London or Berlin, the crisis of the euro weakened government coalitions. The majority of Silvio Berlusconi Tuesday seemed on the verge of bursting.David Cameron faces a near-rebellion in its ranks conservatives, not on the euro but even on membership of the United Kingdom to the EU.

Defense against infection

For now, Angela Merkel seems less threatened. But witness the influence of its parliamentary majority on crucial European choices, the Chancellor will accept the decisions of the summit after obtaining a travel order tightened the Bundestag. "There is no need to top, just look at the parliamentary debate before the Bundestag on TV," a European diplomat scoffed Tuesday. At the heart of the debate in Germany find themselves the roles of the European bailout fund and the ECB's refinancing loans become vulnerable to large countries like Italy or Spain.

The drama may come from Silvio Berlusconi.Italy, the third continent's economy, has taken the place of Spain in the nightmares of the leaders of the euro area. To it they think of first when they say they want to erect a barrier against infection. Nicolas Sarkozy has strongly requested the Italian Prime Minister to introduce an austerity plan credible to their peers. Tuesday evening, all indicated that the Cavaliere would arrive in Brussels on hands almost empty. He could get away with a pirouette. "Who will take the risk of rekindling the fire on the euro, claiming that Italy is definitely not serious?" Asks a well-placed observer.

Tuesday in Brussels, experts and diplomats continued to activate a device described as "quite substantial".But this is not the only issue: Wednesday evening, "it will be for each to balance the three points of a triangle: accept economic reality difficult to convince a sustainable markets and minimize the impact of the election austerity" . The crisis has entered its most political.

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• Incidents in Rome

Tens of thousands of demonstrators, inspired by the "outrage" of Wall Street and Spain, marched Saturday in Rome, the city had been cordoned off by police. "One solution, the Revolution!", "We are not property in the hands of bankers," could be read on the signs of the protesters no fax cash advance.

In Rome, several cars were torched. Photo credits: ALBERTO PIZZOLI / AFP

The French continue to create companies. "We should reach 500,000 this year, including 300,000 creations autoentrepreneur. This reflects a certain optimism about tough economic times, "says Alain Belais, Executive Director of the Agency for start-ups (PACE). According to INSEE, 364,891 new businesses were created between January and late August. Creation of two is a autoentreprise. In Paris, 22,053 new companies were registered.

New entrepreneurs are both men and women in their fifties forced to find new life as young people tempted by the low wage labor. According to a poll Ifop for CCI Undertake 52% of those under age 25 are eager to start their company. According to PACE, 78,000 under 30 years embarked on this adventure in 2008, including 30,000 under 25 years despite the difficulties.65% of those who do not start bank lending. More than one in two with less than 8000 euros. The change is dramatic since 2001, when France only records slightly more than 200,000 creations.

However, the figures for the first eight months of this year were down 10% over the same period last year. The balance will be down in 2011 compared to 2010 which was a historic year with 622,000 creations, thanks to the tremendous popularity of the regime of autoentrepreneur introduced on 1 January 2009. The autoentrepreneur accounted for 58% of new artists last year.

But the French are less likely to be tempted. The number of new autoentrepreneur slowed since the beginning of the year. "The slowdown is quite natural. This system has reached its cruising speed after exceptional growth.Autoentrepreneur those who remain and those who choose this diet have taken the measure of their commitments. They are here to stay, "says Alain Belais.

The French discovered the limitations of this status. It provides a second activity and to test an idea. There are limits annual sales: 81,500 euros in trade, 32,600 euros in services. Anxious to appease the artisans who denounce their unfair competition, the government imposed new obligations on autoentrepreneur.

Since 1 January 2011, they pay a certain sum for vocational training. They must report their sales even if they do not conduct business. Of the 738,351 autoentrepreneur reported, only 277,000 were active in the second quarter. They achieved a turnover of one billion.287,600 were active in the first quarter and achieved 963 million in sales. In 2010, 383,000 active autoentrepreneur reported a turnover of 3.2 billion. Is an annual average of 8310 euros per person. In 2009, 162,100 were made to have one billion in sales. Is 6294 euros per person. The success of the autoentrepreneur has not dampened the appetite of the French for the self-employed status. According to figures published by the end of September ACOSS, 621,000 people have chosen this status since 1 January 2009.

Finding the right financing

This enthusiasm for starting a business due to the numerous reforms for several years to simplify administration. Networks that accompany the new entrepreneurs to help them build a case or grow their businesses also play a key role.Chambers of commerce are very active. Initiate the network relies on the expertise of volunteer business leaders. France Active 6700 projects funded in 2010.

Their strength is to help designers to obtain bank financing they would have had a hard time get to know only because solid build file. The unemployed are not forgotten. Adie, who is the leader of microcredit in France, has launched a fund for unsecured loans for troubled youth. Lafarge, the Deposit, Laser and other finance it. But the French passion for business has its limits. Most creations are no employees. In 2010, this proportion reached 95%. And the companies that launched at least one employee had an average of three employees.It is true that running a very small business or microenterprises employing fewer than 10 employees making more than 2 million euros in turnover remains a risky venture for a simple reason: their leaders have difficulty finding bank financing .

Protect its heritage

Separate personal and professional is possible.

Artisans, merchants, professionals can take from 1 January the status of individual entrepreneur Limited (EIRL). This scheme allows the contractor to protect his family by separating his business assets known as "assets used" and their personal assets. Specifically, the entrepreneur chooses the new status does not lose his personal assets in bankruptcy. It does not take risks on the part of his property invested in the company.Despite the very favorable reception of professional organizations, starting the EIRL is slow. Only 3500 individual entrepreneurs had adopted July 31. The legal and tax developments that have been made should make it more attractive.

The supplementary budget in July 2011 provides tax neutrality. Individual entrepreneurs who choose EIRL are free to opt for taxation of corporate income tax. Those who choose this option do not pay payroll taxes on their actual earnings. For their part, banks have pledged not to limit the credit they give to people who choose EIRL status and do not require additional guarantees.

The mood is gloomy Tuesday in the Paris Bourse. The debt crisis, fears of a default Greek and the difficulties of Dexia still saddled markets. The CAC plunged 2.7% in mid-session at 2 845.78 points after having been closed on Monday, down 1.85% to 2926.83 euros. Elsewhere in Europe, London was down 2.22% to 4,962.80 points and Frankfurt from 3% to 5 215.50 points.

Monday evening, the finance ministers of the Eurogroup announced after their meeting that they see "in October," the decision on the next tranche of 8 billion euros to Greece. Europe is planning to review the private sector in the second aid plan and is considering increasing the relief fund for indebted countries (EFSF).Finance Ministers have also agreed on the granting of collateral in exchange for loans to Greece.

Athens, meanwhile, announced new measures after Sunday warned that the country would not meet its deficit targets required by its creditors.

Oil down

Fears weigh on the euro area also on the European currency. The euro sank below the $ 1.32 in late morning, its lowest level since January against the greenback, carried away in the turmoil of the debt crisis and the postponement of a decision on Greece by the finance ministers of the euro area. Mid-session, the euro bought 1.3184 dollars against 1.3178 dollars late Monday.First thing in the session, he even fell to 1.3146 dollars, its lowest value since January 13.

Oil markets, concerns about the global economy weigh on prices: a barrel of "light sweet crude" for delivery in November lost 1.47% dollar to 76.47 dollars in the morning.

In terms of macroeconomic indicators, investors will pay attention to the publication of industrial producer prices in the euro zone in August expected at least 16 hours. Overseas, industrial orders in the U.S. for August are expected in 16 hours. At the same time, the president of the Federal Reserve, Ben Bernanke, scheduled to speak before a congressional committee on "economic forecasts".

Dexia has announced the sale of its flagship

The entire banking sector will be followed on Tuesday.The board of directors of Dexia (-20.77% to 1.03 euros) announced last night to have initiated a process to solve the structural problems of the group but did not mention track in particular. The Franco-Belgian bank should speed up the sale of its jewels and isolation of its non-performing assets in a "bad bank" quick guaranteed personal loans. His last note was placed on negative watch by Moody's. Deminor insists that the shareholders are consulted before any decision on a plan for the future of Dexia, said the consulting firm to shareholders in an open letter disclosed by Reuters.

For its part, Societe Generale (-3.95% to 18.22 euros) halved its need for long-term financing in 2012, she announced.The French bank will only need 10 to 15 billion euros.

Also in the European banking sector, the first German bank Deutsche Bank has abandoned its goal Tuesday to reach a record operating profit of 10 billion euros this year, but assured that it will profit in the third quarter.

The sugar group Cristal Union will acquire in a friendly group Vermandoise for nearly a billion euros to create the number five European sugar industry, which will be number two in France behind Tereos. Vermandoise group includes two companies listed on NYSE-Euronext Paris, the Society of Sugar Vermandoise (SVS) and the Sugar Company of the Old Pithiviers (SSPLV).The listing of the two securities is suspended.

Stallergènes (-3.63% to 44.81 euros) announced a reorganization of its governance, which will see the arrival of a new executive managing director in early 2012.

GDF Suez (-1.70% to 22.02 euros) has completed the sale of the Rete Gas G6 consortium of infrastructure funds F2i, AXA Private Equity and Enel Distribution. The sale values ​​the distribution assets at an enterprise value of 772 million euros, to 103% of the regulated asset base in 2010, 9.3 times Ebitda and 17.5 times net income. This was announced in June.

Bonduelle (-1.31% to 63.50 euros) reported a sharp drop in its annual net profit by 48% to 30.4 million but expects a rebound in profitability for the year 2011-2012.The food group is also in talks to buy the vegetables Aucy in Russia.

Naturex (-6.88% to 46.02 euros), a specialist in natural ingredients of plant origin, will launch a capital increase of € 49.3 million to fund acquisitions and increase its free float stock.

Group Gorge (9.95% to 6.74 euros) flames just after the announcement of its largest order in the nuclear industry, a contract of 30 million euros in China.

In the first half of 2011, a resumption of sales of businesses began. The second barometer on the subject made jointly by the State and Altares, released Thursday, reported a sales increase of 2.4% over the first six months of the year. These sales were heavily impacted by the crisis in 2009, transactions were down 19%, before timidly back in 2010 (0.9%).

This year, the investment return to a little more frankly. "Although the number of transmissions is lower than before the crisis, the situation improves significantly," says Thierry Million, director of studies of Altares. And with it, the price of the business, which increased by 1.7% over last year to 179,033 euros on average. "The funds transferred in early 2011, which have weathered the crisis, have negotiated more favorable," notes the group.Evidence that most of the times for low-cost funds, however, the median price remained stable at 80,000 euros.

A craze for camping

Like last year, it's the pharmacies that are the most expensive. On average, a pharmacy is minting 1.2 million euros in the first half. In the hit parade of goodwill the most expensive, campsites are in second place. Their prices as the number of transactions continue to climb (30% in first half!), Driven by the success and growth of high-end structures. "The development of chalets and mobile homes on campsites has changed the situation, says Thierry Million no fax payday loan. The price of the stock in trade is also pulled upward by large campground owners, who can afford to invest. " A 378,000 euros Camping on average, their prices now exceed those of the hotels.

Among the funds that are most sold early this year, are also leading bakeries and taverns. A sign that these businesses are particularly effective? "No, fixes the director of studies. It is even the contrary, because the margins are ultimately less important than had been anticipated that buyers turn goodwill as every five years. These traders often try to sell before we get into bankruptcy, to save the furniture ".

Outlook bleak

The second part of the year will be under less auspicious. The economic downturn and the growing reluctance of banks to lend money should help to slow the recovery of transmission of a business, driving prices back down. "A peak was reached.The average price should not exceed 180,000 euros, "Judge Thierry Million. A decline in transactions detrimental to the economy, which would inevitably impact on employment. "The resumption of a stock in trade is the transfer of customers, know-how, but also employees. A butcher, a hairdresser that close, many jobs are destroyed, "warns Thierry Million.

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The bill for banks that have distributed toxic loans to local authorities may be salty. Claude Bartolone at war for three years against Dexia and its sister does not count because no release. PS MP who chairs the Assembly today a Commission of Inquiry on "risky financial products underwritten by local" has already federated number of public entities that have contracted loans toxic.

The President of the General Council of Seine-Saint-Denis since 2007 fought first for his department. Claude Bartolone has discovered that he had contracted in 2008, led by Communists, many loans have become toxic. Thus, a debt of 953 million euros, the joint may have to pay a premium of about $ 300 million over the next ten years because of toxic loans contracted between 1997 and 2008."The equivalent of building a school year," criticizes Claude Bartolone. "And that amount could be even higher," said the MP. In fact, some of the loans contracted by the municipality are indexed to the Swiss franc and interest rates can reach 50% depending on the evolution of the franc.

Most disturbing is that the department of Seine-Saint-Denis (93) is not alone in this. MP PS refers to "hospitals, small towns or communes, departments, ports such as port of Le Havre" and "communes of all political stripes like Saint Etienne, Rouen, Saint Maur or Saint Tropez."

According to Claude Bartolone, "the total amount of toxic loans granted to public entities be around 15 billion euros of which would be 5 billion of potential losses."

"Banks can not not pay"

MP PS is clearly concerned the role of banks. He said "they are responsible for the explosive situation in the French subprime" where thousands of municipalities are now over-indebted. Indeed, it is satisfied that they have not fulfilled their code of ethics. "They had a duty to inform and how their customers customized uninitiated" or the quest for profit seems to have guided more banks. Thus, the President of the General Council 93 filed a complaint against Dexia, Depfa and Calyon (Credit Agricole). The court should rule in October. But even Claude Bartolone said that "banks can not avoid paying." The MP also believes that "the whole chain has failed." The state has not applied a circular on the prohibition of structured products and regulatory authorities have also failed in their duty.A helping hand of the state can not be excluded.

Otherwise, "the local authorities would be forced to raise local taxes, reduce investment and jobs." And technically if the failure of a local community is not possible, it can be put under the tutelage of the state as was the case of Angouleme, said the chosen PS.

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The government is auctioning the frequencies, which will be used for mobile fourth generation (4G). What is it?

The mobile phone transmits the voice (or data) using radio waves, which propagate in the air "waves" continuous. The frequency (measured in hertz, Hz) is the number of "waves" per second.

To make the operators therefore need to get the government of frequencies, located in a strip precise and well defined, so as not to interfere with radio, television, defense, aviation and so on.

But the frequencies are inherently limited. They are therefore a scarce and highly contested. In addition, they are not all the same quality in terms of capacity and speed of propagation. To put it very simply, the more frequencies are lower, the better they are.Frequencies "low" (below 1GHz) have good propagation properties. They provide a national coverage less expensive because they require less equipment. They also have better penetration in buildings, improving coverage "indoor". Low frequencies therefore offer the best technical and economic conditions for the deployment of large networks with national coverage.

Historically, the FM radio is in the 100 MHz band, the television in the 470 to 862 MHz. Telecom operators are above the frequency band.

• 4G (voice, SMS, MMS, mobile Internet fast): 800 MHz and 2.6 GHz. The frequencies currently 4G auction are of two types.

On the one hand, the frequencies called "gold" because they are located in the low frequencies 800 MHz band.As they spread further into the atmosphere, the operators do not need to put a lot of equipment to cover a given area, making these frequencies are well adapted to cover the rural areas. But their price is high. Released during the transition to DTT, they were recovered by the government from television, through the so-called "digital dividend". Since this frequency band is close to that of television, mobile 4G can still create interference and interference with TNT in some places.

In addition of frequencies known as "high" as they are in the 2.6 GHz band. They are particularly suited to dense urban areas. But they require high investments.

• 3G (voice, SMS, MMS, mobile Internet start): 2GHz.The current generation of mobile phones, called 3G (or UMTS), operates in the 2 GHz band, with opportunities to 2.5 GHz. To ensure a good signal coverage, operators have had denser network and stations install more emissions than the generation before. The result of the economic costs and increasing difficulties to cover the white areas.

• 2G (voice, SMS, MMS): 900 MHz and 1800 MHz. The previous generation, known as 2G (or GSM), worked – and still works – in the 900 MHz band and 1800 MHz in Europe. Each operator had to build a network of more than 15,000 base stations. Bouygues Telecom, the third came on the market was at a disadvantage: he had received 1800 MHz frequencies, requiring a denser network and therefore more expensive than its competitors Orange and SFR.In the U.S., GSM in the band of 1900 MHz, hence the need for a phone "tri-band" when traveling in the United States.

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