International & World Report

While the International Monetary Fund is seeking a new general manager following the resignation of Dominique Strauss-Kahn, emerging countries are mobilizing in support of candidates from their ranks. It is "a moment of change" for a non-European leader, has estimated that Friday morning, Angel Gurria, secretary general of the OECD. As of Wednesday, the Brazilian Finance Minister Guido Mantega said that "time is gone when this important post was reserved for a European citizen." Touefois, he has changed his tone on Friday stating that Brazil was ready to support a European candidate for the leadership of the International Monetary Fund if it pursues the reforms of the "democratization" of the financial organization, said Friday the Minister Brazilian Finance Guido Mantega. "There may be good candidates for advanced and emerging countries, including the European Union (…).The important thing is that the new director of the IMF to continue the reforms initiated by Dominique Strauss-Kahn of democratization of the Fund, "said Mantega in an interview published Friday by the daily Folha de Sao Paulo.

For now, the Brazilian seems to have only moderate his speeches since the beginning of the affair Strauss-Kahn. In China, calls for change are increasing. "The time has come to put an end to Western domination on the IMF," said Shan Renping commentator, in an article published in the official newspaper Global Times. Its purpose is thus part of the continuity statements yesterday from the spokesman of the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs.Jiang Yu said in effect that "newly emerging markets and developing countries must be represented to the leadership of the IMF."

Shan Renping adds that "one of the main responsibilities of the IMF is to oversee the trade and provide funds to countries in need, capabilities that can provide a growing China." The commentator noted in particular the name of Zhu Min, the former deputy governor of the People's Bank of China, then became Special Advisor to the Director of the IMF, as a potential buyer of the post.

Asia does not seem united enough to push one of its representatives.At a recent meeting of the Asian Development Bank in Hanoi, many are even ministers expressed support for Christine Lagarde, Julius Caesar by Parens, an expert from the Institute for Monetary Affairs in Tokyo.

Other emerging countries are pushing their own candidates

And other emerging countries would indeed one of their representatives take the reins of the institution. Thus, the Mexican Minister of Budget, Ernesto Cordero, supported the candidacy of Governor of the Bank of Mexico, Agustin Carstens, assuring the Mexican press that "it is the best candidate for the IMF."

The Commonwealth of Independent States (former USSR minus the Baltics and Georgia) has decided to propose the head of the Central Bank of Kazakhstan Grigory Marchenko. And many observers are betting on former Turkish Finance Minister Kemal Dervis.

The latter, however, indicated late Friday that day was not a candidate to succeed DSK as Director of the IMF.

Emerging economies will need time to agree on a common candidate and thus be able to weigh into the debate. Enough to explain why the Brazilian finance minister urges that the succession of DSK to head the IMF is not "decided in a hurry." And Wolfgang Schäuble's impatience, the German finance minister, who urged his partners in the European Union to designate someone to bring their colors in the race for the overall direction of the IMF.

Lipsky includes Christine Lagarde among candidates "well qualified"

Since the inception of the institution, the position is traditionally awarded to a European as the World Bank management is entrusted to an American.Thus, if an emerging leader is elected this would be a first for the institution.

While the position raises all desires to the four corners of the globe, American John Lipsky, who has served as Acting, said yesterday that the Board of Trustees will meet Friday to discuss it. He believes that Christine Lagarde is one of the candidates "well qualified" to lead the institution. A view widely shared in France and Europe, where statements of support have multiplied yesterday.

However, John Lipsky has left the door open to candidates from emerging countries, stating that "there is a consensus among our members that the process of appointing the CEO should be open, transparent and must be on the basis of merit. Open means open.Open does not open only to some. "The campaign has only just begun.

ALSO READ:

While Greece and Portugal have seen worse with a vengeance by the rating agencies in recent months, leaders protest against these messengers of bad news. Latest episode of this unequal struggle, the Greek finance ministry said on Monday that he rejected the further lowering of its rating by Standard & Poor's. A decision "has no validity," he judged.

"This degradation occurs in a period where no new information or decision aggravating the situation in Greece has occurred since the previous assessment, a month ago, has developed the ministry said in a statement. However, "the rating agency decisions must be based on evidence, decisions and real data evaluation of each economy.Otherwise, their validity is questioned. "

"Unfair Practices"

In Portugal, another country recently described by deterioration in score, four economists complained against rating agencies for "unfair practices" have caused "serious damage to state interests and the Portuguese people." An investigation was opened on 3 May, the newspaper Diario Economico. Last month, Jean-Claude Trichet himself, the president of the European Central Bank, which acknowledged that "high concentration" agency "was problematic." They are just three: Standard & Poor's, Moody's and Fitch.

Credit rating agencies have since the beginning of the crisis of sovereign debt, accused of feeding a downward spiral for the countries attacked by the markets.While the financial situation of Greece, Ireland and Portugal are deteriorating, their interest rates rise, adding to the same time the burden of debt. To reflect the worsening situation, the agencies in turn degrade the country and note those decisions lead to new increases in interest rates.

"Easy Target"

"Agencies are an easy target for politicians, it allows them to deceive," relativized a bank economist. "Above all they were not brilliant since the beginning of the crisis: they missed the subprime disaster and have not witnessed the arrival of sovereign debt problems in the eurozone." Until early 2010 All countries in the area benefited indeed flattering notes.Even Greece, while its debt was already over 120% of its gross domestic product.

A country in a precarious balance, however, seems to escape (temporarily?) With the severity of agencies: Belgium. For 11 months without a government, the country had been pressed flat to resolve its political crisis. But Saturday night, Prime Minister Yves Leterme Acting launched its Twitter account "Standard & Poor's less pressing." Under close supervision, Belgium should not be degraded immediately. An austerity plan adopted in April aims to balance public accounts in Belgium in 2015.

ALSO READ:

"The Greek debt deemed more risky than ever

"Greece: A second rescue looms

"SPECIAL – Europe, countries facing bankruptcy

Three raps with a hammer-shaped wooden bottle of Coke. Thus, Muhtar Kent, CEO of The Coca-Cola Company, launched Friday night in Atlanta the weekend of festivities to mark 125 years. The first glass of Coca-Cola has been officially served in a pharmacy in the capital of Georgia, May 8, 1886. "My predecessors had used the hammer to the 50th, 75th and 100th birthdays," said the big boss at the company headquarters. No way to shake up tradition, although modern technologies give some freshness to the event.

A sound and light show ignited the building up to 122 meters. "This is the biggest thank-you cards that we send you," Muhtar Kent has launched its guests, the leaders of North American bottlers and oils from the city of Atlanta, the State and the University of Georgia, or even the local clergy.The famous bottle was projected in 3D on all four sides, in a show of twenty minutes presented as the greatest illumination of a building in the world.

Piracy Alert

The day before, the organizers had a cold sweat. "We realized that students from the University of Georgia Tech, located in front of the seat, trying to hack into the programming of the sound and light," says one officer. We were afraid they are trying to project a naked woman or a bottle of Pepsi. "Neither of these nightmares, the second being the scariest for Coca Cola, has occurred.

In Atlanta, apart in the sky, blue is not red shade at the weekend. Saturday afternoon, nearly 15,000 people attended in the heat to a four-hour concert, the group broadcasts live on the internet to "thank the entire planet." Nothing less.An outdoor show started by K'Naan and his "Wavin 'Flag", a hymn to the success of the last World Cup football, with the refrain "oh oh oh oh oh" has the merit of being included in the 206 countries where Coke is sold.

The host Ryan Seacrest, the American Nikos Aliagas, then invited on stage "the next American Idol" Muhtar Kent, before the governor of Georgia and the mayor of Atlanta did join in wishing happy birthday to the Coca-Cola … behalf of their constituents. Aediles quickly replaced by the former glory of American Idol Kelly Clarkson, the band One Night Only, the R & B singer Ne-Yo, Natasha Bedingfield or, standing ovation for his cover of "Purple Rain". A colorful tribute, no doubt, to the Prince of cola.

In the morning, a good-fair was reserved for employees of Coca-Cola and their families facing the World of Coke museum.Mostly dressed in red T-shirt, they chained face painting and tattooing, before engaging in an artistic activity: design their own bottle of Coke! But the United States, any successful self-celebration can not have a good feeling. Delegates have they bundled packages for families Georgian victims of tornadoes that ravaged the south last month. An operation conducted in partnership with the Red Cross. Red like Coca-Cola, of course …

ALSO READ:

"In 125 years, Coca-Cola expects to grow further

"The bottle of Coca-Cola in its best forms

This is no time to feast on world markets and the Paris Bourse was not really moving. This Friday, the CAC 40 opens just in balance, rising a timid 0.08% at 4008.43 points, retaining the symbolic threshold of 4000 points, and was saved yesterday after a lackluster session. The signals sent from Wall Street are not encouraging, nor those sent by the Asian markets on Friday morning.

Prudence therefore prevents excessive risk taking. Especially as investors await the release earlier this afternoon by the U.S. Department of Labor's highly anticipated monthly report on employment. He should come to confirm the trend shown in recent days across the Atlantic by the wrong numbers ADP and weekly jobless claims.Still on macroeconomic, the French budget deficit stood at 33.6 billion euros at end-March against 28.9 billion a year earlier, according to data released Friday by the Budget Ministry.

German industrial production for March is also expected.

Side currency, the euro rising slightly against the dollar at 1.4566 dollar. The European currency plummeted against the greenback following the announcement by the ECB yesterday kept the interest rates at their current levels until at least July. On the commodity front, the dollar's rebound has led to a plunge the entire sector. Oil has fallen below including $ 100 in New York, while silver lost 13% and 4% gold.

Values ​​to follow

Total

The oil company should react to the sharp drop in oil prices flexcheck cash advance.

Alcatel-Lucent

The telecommunications equipment has greatly reduced its losses in the first quarter to 10 million euros, against 515 million a year ago, and has recorded an increase of 15.2% of its turnover to $ 3.7 billion euros.

Carrefour

In an interview with Les Echos, the CEO, Lars Olofsson, made the revitalization of hypermarkets in France and its priority does not like the boss for France, whose departure was announced Thursday, is replaced by a French.

Eiffage

The group announced an increase of 13.2% of its backlog as of April 1, to 11.7 billion euros and confirmed its target of sales in 2011.

Icade, Veolia Environment

The group was selected by Veolia Environnement as exclusive partner for project implementation, the order of 100.000 square meters, designed to accommodate the consolidation of about 3000 to 4000 in Aubervilliers (Seine et Marne). Exclusive negotiations which are expected to undertake to reach a decision by early 2012, said the land in a statement.

Wendel

The group has announced organic growth of 9.9% of its sales in the first quarter to 1.44 billion euros, its holdings, including construction companies, which have benefited from economic recovery.

French cement publish today its first quarter results. Euler Hermes and Gascony will lift the veil on the turnover of the first quarter.

Sanofi-Aventis and CNP Assurances hold their general meeting.

Union leaders had expected that the 1 May 2011 be a little raw, especially as "holiday character this time is less assertive, that day falls on a Sunday, is Marcel Grignard, number two of the CFDT.

"We do not have to be in the streets" to celebrate International Labour Day, said Sunday the first secretary of Lille Martine Aubry PS parades scattered about, saying that employees would demonstrate "in 2012 in vote. "Between 700 people, police said, and a thousand, according to organizers, marched on Sunday in Lille.

In Marseille, among 2000 people by 5000 according to police and organizers, marched through the rus, between 2200 and 3000 in Bordeaux between 1200 and 3000 in Strasbourg, only a few hundred at the start of the procession in Rennes.

It was also shown to Pau (800 to 1200), in Angoulême (500), Besancon (500 to 1000), Brest (250 to 300), Nancy (700 people according to the unions).

Winks comedy peppered some processions. "May 1st, we are the popes of the earth", alluding to the beatification of John Paul II.But also slogans in opposition to the FN, as in Rennes' French workers, immigrants, same bosses, same battles. "

A trade union unity crumbled

The protesters "are certainly fewer than we hoped," regretted Francois Chereque on Europe 1 (CFDT). Especially as the bargaining unit has somewhat disintegrated.

In Paris, Bernard Thibault (CGT) and Francois Chereque, in particular, will head behind the streamer head of the procession, which is just after 14:00 waver from Republic Square to join one of the nation.

The CFTC did not join the call unit but leaves the task to militants to carry out local initiatives, while the CFE-CGC stays away this May 1.

Workers Power is as usual alone.In Paris, however, that they were 300, according to AFP, to march through eastern Paris, the Bastille to the Place Gambetta, before going to bow to the wall of Federated.

ALSO READ:

The unions are no longer gifts

"Suicide remains as THE SOLUTION." With these terms Remy, France Telecom employee who set himself on fire at the site of Mérignac Tuesday concluded a six-page letter, sent to the director of social relations and the HR group, Brigitte Dumont . This document, which has acquired the website Médiapart, quoted by Le Parisien and Aujourd'hui en France-, dated September 2009, when the company was plunged into controversy following the suicides of several employees.

At that time, Remy already denounced the "cowardly, poverty and lack of managerial responsibility" that prevailed at the highest level of the company.On a smaller scale, pressure from managers suffered by him and his colleagues is also highlighted with specific examples, as the site of Périgueux: "You and you you're welcome physical tomorrow morning, you will help these cons of trading, it will teach you to live, "would have launched one of the managers. "No control, no reaction," protested the employee.

"Those who are left are very poorly"

Citing a "terror management as well," Rémy, 57, talks about his own situation, he said, is the same for most workers over age 50 victims reorganizations. According to him, this category is often placed in positions that have nothing to do with his skills."Frames dispossessed of their power, they do nothing," he described, adding that "those who are abandoned and forced to cope with failure in everyday life are very bad."

At the time, Remy tries to change his position. It was not until a year after sending the email to be reassigned to a job more in keeping with his profile.

The last post

From Florence Baillard-Bordes, coordinator of the CFDT delegate quoted in Le Parisien, Remy was "hopeful" in the first days of taking office last fall. "But since the beginning of the year, he felt very disappointed. He told us that the measures announced were a smokescreen, "referring to the new social contract established by Stephane Richard, successor to Didier Lombard.

Also, last February, he sent another letter, by mail to the site director of Bordeaux Chateau d'Eau and uses the copy shop steward. As responsible for prevention, he mentioned the case of an outstanding colleague and again denounced "the methods that should have been abolished." He wanted to be convened to discuss in more detail but it was never answered. "Rémy was outstanding for several years and has not been heard," says Florence Baillard-Bordes. His family claims now follow "legal, political and social in this case," says Gilbert Hanna, union Solidarity 33.

For his part, Stéphane Richard promises to learn from the suicide of the employee: "I intend to do that this investigation is particularly thorough and transparent," says he.

ALSO READ:

"France Telecom: an investigation for" manslaughter "

Irish debt enters the red zone. On Friday, ratings agency Moody's Investors Service has indeed lowered the rating two notches of Ireland "Baa1" to "Baa3", pushing the country to the lowest level possible for reliable borrowers. In other words, the last step before investor confidence will eventually volatilize. And Moody's notes that this degradation is accompanied by a 'negative' outlook, leaving the door open to future further degradation, although this decision should not intervene "in the medium term."

If a new downgrade of its debt were to be decided, the country would be in fact classified as borrowers may not honor their debts. Ireland would therefore its sovereign bonds classified as "junk bonds" – or junk bonds, and would have the greatest difficulty in borrowing on the markets.And a restructuring of its debt would be necessary.

The bailouts are linked together, the challenges remain

This decision was taken by the rating agency because of the deteriorating economic outlook of the island. Paralyzed by a financial crisis, Ireland has been trying for two years to improve its economic situation. She suggested early April fifth bailout of its banking system, in great difficulties, which must be recapitalized to the tune of 24 billion euros.

An austerity plan aimed at reducing the public deficit to 3% of Irish GDP in 2015 from 9.6% in 2010 was also adopted by the country before the elections of 25 February, to keep its promises to the IMF International and the European Union that have provided aid to 85 billion euros.

A new recession

Despite these efforts, economists forecast remains bleak.Last week the central bank of Ireland has revised down its growth expectations for this year: Ireland's GDP should grow by 0.9% it in 2011, 0.1 percentage point less than its initial forecast formulated in January. It also lowered its expectation for 2012 s Croisances from 2.3% to 2.2%.

She also gave the term "recession" on the current year, after the Irish GDP has declined for three consecutive years, falling by 1% in 2010 from 3.5% in 2008 and 7.6% in 2009.The IMF has also produced a report on the state of the Irish economy and its prospects, which should be published that day.

Corruption, the housing bubble and lax financial regulation that boosted the country's growth until the outbreak of the financial crisis in 2007, could continue to encumber the Irish economy for several years.

ALSO READ:

How will the bailout Irish

"SPECIAL-Europe 's face the risk of bankruptcy

"The ECB could help Irish banks fragile

The continuation of bombings in Libya and the unrest in Syria, Yemen and Bahrain are the oil prices start rising. A barrel of Brent crude exceeded $ 116 Monday in the morning before easing to 114.70 dollars to 18 hours. It appears as almost a dollar above the closing price on Friday evening. Same movement in New York, where the barrel of WTI has exceeded $ 103 before retreating. On Tuesday morning, in morning trading, a barrel of light sweet crude for April delivery took 19 cents to 102.52 dolalrs.That of Brent North Sea crude for May delivery on the other hand yielded 15 cents to 114.81 dollars.

If since the beginning of the crisis in Libya, Saudi Arabia has put hundreds of thousands of additional barrels a day in the market to compensate for the loss of production in this country, representing about 2% of pumping global markets fear now the destruction of Libyan oil infrastructure cash advance no fax.

Moreover, expectations of a sustained rise in demand for fossil fuels in Japan, private lasting at least six nuclear reactors, also derive the gross up. Paradoxically, in France, the average pump price fell last week (of 2 cents for the SP95). They reflected the decline in the gross observed 5 to 15 March.

ALSO READ:

"The extraordinary rise of Brazil drew the attention of the world." U.S. President Barack Obama has sought to flatter the largest economy in South America on Saturday in Brasilia. At a time when the United States are struggling with recovery still low growth rates Brazilian allure. According to the International Monetary Fund, the economy grew by 7.5% in 2010 and is expected to grow at a rate of 4.1% in 2011.

Enough to create opportunities for U.S. companies. "We are increasing trade and investment to create jobs in both countries. Brazil is already one of our largest trading partners, but we can do much more, "Obama said before an audience of businessmen in Brasilia.The United States is already Brazil's largest trading partner and accounts for 14% of its exports and nearly 15% of its imports, according to figures Ubifrance.

Offshore oil

New opportunities open to American contractors, said Barack Obama. And to quote the infrastructure that Brazil will achieve by the 2014 World Cup and Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro in 2016, which U.S. companies are hoping for a share of contracts. Not mentioned by the president, the United States also seeking to sell fighter jets F-18 in Brasilia and compete with the French aircraft for a tender for 36 fighter aircraft.

Washington finally look forward to the Brazilian oil reserves."According to some estimates, the oil that you recently discovered off the coast of Brazil could be double the reserves we have in the United States," said Barack Obama. "We want to help you in the technological development of these reserves and safely, and when you're ready to start selling, we want to be among your best customers." These resources all the more interested they are from the U.S. a stable country, "said Obama, at a time when the faltering Middle East because of popular revolts.

Brasilia critical

The increased trade between the two giants of America depends heavily on the goodwill of Washington, however, wished to recall the president of Brazil. Dilma Rousseff has been outspoken against the trade and monetary policy of the United States, reports the Wall Street Journal.She regretted the restrictions imposed by the United States on imports of certain products such as beef, ethanol, or airplanes. Above all, the president reiterated his criticism of the strategy of strong emission of dollars ("quantitative easing") conducted by the U.S. central bank. Brazil has complained for months that its exports were hindered by a real pushed up by a dollar too low.

To achieve their ends, the United States must be treated on an equal footing on economic issues, with China, Brazil and India, recognized Barack Obama. On the diplomatic front, he has not supported the request of his counterpart Dilma Rousseff for his country to obtain a permanent seat on the council. Without closing the door completely.

Who said men were not romantic? According to a survey conducted by Spir Communication on the Internet – the free press center of Ouest-France – the majority of men not only intend to celebrate Valentine's Day February 14 but also plans to release the big game

Often booed for its excessively commercialized, the feast of love seems to still have followers in France: 51% women and 43% of men think that February 14 is first and foremost "a day dedicated to love." These gentlemen are even more likely than their companions – 35% against 24% – to believe that Valentine's Day is an opportunity to demonstrate his attachment to a loved one and 28% said that the impasse would be unthinkable. And to show their feelings, they are preparing to spend money.

Flowers and perfumes, gifts celebs

The list of these is considered fairly standard no fax payday advance.41% of men plan to give flowers or perfume, 29% of lingerie or clothing or jewelry. Women as they prefer to receive a 37% gift box. More than three in ten men and expect to spend between 60 and 100 euros for the gift of their partner, when only a quarter of them planning to spend such a sum.

At the same time while 11% of men have advanced the argument of the Day "distorted and mercenary" not to spoil a loved one, the proportion of women reaches 36%. Men being less stingy and more caring than women? Unless the fear of retaliation in case you forgot is the powerful dictating the rush …

ALSO READ:

"The European agenda forget all Christian holidays

"Valentine's banned in Iran