International & World Report

After the death of Osama bin Laden, U.S. markets have opened higher on Monday. But the optimism did not last. After booting up 0.48% at 12,872 points, the Dow Jones has returned to equilibrium about 18.30 (-0.02% to 12,839 points), then tried to pick up but in vain: the index finish tiny drop of 0.03% at 12,807 points. The Standard & Poor's 500 and Nasdaq 100 lost 0.18% at 1361 points and 2864 points to 0.33%.

On all major exchanges in Asia and Europe, the reaction was positive on Monday after announcing the death of bin Laden. But the effect was short-lived.

The NYSE had ended up slightly vendredi.Sur the entire last week, the Dow Jones gained 2.43%, sailing now at its highest level since May 2008.The Standard & Poor's has made 1.96%, climbing to a new level since June 2008, and the Nasdaq experiencing the highest since December 2000, after rising 1.89% on the week. U.S. indices have been propelled by the quarterly results of companies. Indeed 73% of companies have released better than expected results for the first three months of the year.

Dollar up, oil down

And on the foreign exchange market, the dollar climbed against major currencies. Around 15:30 European currency resumed, however the height against the greenback.: The euro bought 1.4849 dollars against 1.4808 dollars on Friday night. The death of public enemy number one U.S. pushes investors to buy the greenback, especially low in recent weeks because of the decision of the U.S. central bank (Fed) maintain unchanged its policy of very low rates.

Similarly, oil prices, affected by the surge in the greenback, declined Monday. A barrel of light sweet crude for June delivery lost 57 cents to U.S. $ 113.236. Precious metals lose ground again this afternoon, even if less than this morning. The ounce of gold fell to 1546 dollars this morning against a previous record of 1575.79 dollars. It is from 1555 dollars to 15.30.

On the macroeconomic front, construction spending gained momentum in the United States, knowing their strongest growth in 11 months, 1.4%, according to data released Monday by the Commerce Department. In contrast, growth of manufacturing activity slowed for the second consecutive month in April, but less than expected, according to the index of industrial purchasing managers released Monday.This index, calculated by the Institute for Supply Management (ISM), stood at 60 paydayloan.4 in April after already slowed to 61.2 in March, against 61.4 in February. The 72 analysts and economists surveyed by Reuters had forecast an index to 60.0.

Macroeconomic agenda of the rest of the week is particularly busy overseas. The program included investors such as U.S. industrial orders (Tuesday), the PMI service on both sides of the Atlantic (Wednesday), quarterly productivity in the U.S. (Thursday).But the main highlight of the week on the macroeconomic level in the United States is expected Friday with the traditional monthly report on U.S. employment.

Apple on their toes

The side of values, PPR announced on Monday the launch of a friendly takeover of the American Volcom (23.92% to 24.45 dollars) (clothing and accessories for skateboarding), enhanced 516, 1 million euros, which, according to him, "a milestone" for the constitution of his pole "Sports and Lifestyle."The essence of sport and lifestyle center is formed by Puma, majority owned by PPR, which was completed in 2010 a turnover of 2.7 billion euros (+10.6%) and operating profit to 337.8 million euros, up 12.7%.

Always on the side of values, Apple (-0.36% to 348.88 dollars) might react to the announcement of Time which will offer a free edition of its magazine for iPad his paper subscribers, according to the Wall Street Journal.

On its side the oil giant Chevron (-0.70% to 108.67 dollars) has also announced after the close of Wall Street have made a profit in the first quarter of $ 6.2 billion against 4.6 billion a year past. Daily production rose to 2.76 million barrels per day against 2.78 million last year.Chevron also announced the construction of a new manufacturing lubricants in Mississippi to $ 1.4 billion.

For his part, Du Pont De Nemours (-0.25% to 56.65 dollars) has increased the amount of its bid for Danisco to 700 Danish kroner kroner against 665 previously.

Also note, the Wall Street Journal, Facebook's growth is higher than the forecasts made several months ago, the group is about to exceed two billion dollars of gross operating profit (EBITDA) in 2011. Still according to the Wall Street Journal, the benefits of Facebook now increase rapidly enough to justify a valuation of $ 100 billion or more from the perspective of an IPO. Facebook should be placed on the market by early next year.

Easyjet could not miss the opportunity. The marriage between William and Kate in the UK, which will captivate 2 billion viewers worldwide Friday, is the perfect opportunity for the airline to talk about her. For this, the low cost made the bet with the originality of the organization of a European competition for doubles.

The suitors, "duplicates of William" or "spit portraits of Kate," had until April 10 to come forward. On a website designed specially for the occasion, their pictures were displayed on a map according to their countries of origin. In 15 days, nearly 342 people came forward. "We wondered if the huge public interest in the British was the same within thirty European countries where we operate.And that's the case, "says Celine Take, communications manager of the company.

Among the candidates, two French, John Bastgen, Saint-Maur-des-Fosses, Bachelin and Mary, originally from Evreux. Even if the gossips are not their any resemblance to the royal couple, easyJet has thought otherwise. They are the ones who were chosen to form the William and Kate French. They had the onerous task of defending the colors of the Hexagon at the European finals of the competition which brought together twenty Europeans on Wednesday. Hello princely marriage proposal, throwing bouquet: their performance has been decrypted by the Communications Director of easyJet and the director of an agency look-alikes. But they do not seem to have been convincing since the impersonator is finally elected William English, while Kate is the lining of Italian. "It was a difficult choice. there were real doubles.The French were elbow to elbow, "says Celine Take

Finalists console themselves by attending (the crowd) to marry a person of their choice. As for the winners, they get a year of their easyJet air tickets for travel on the 550 routes served by low cost.

Communication "clever"

Question image, the bet is successful for easyJet online payday loans. "Doing what contest is very clever, decrypts Treguer John Paul, CEO of TVLowCost, the agency specializing in low cost TV advertising. EasyJet plays the card of derision and offset by diverting the image of William and Kate. And it is a maximum effect of buzz. According to this expert, this marketing strategy is entirely within the historic codes of low cost communication."The idea of ​​low cost groups has always been to use a communication challenges, even shocking, and humor to attract attention and sympathy from customers. This is to do things the most improbable of the most serious. Recently, Richard Branson, boss of Virgin, said he would do the service dressed as a stewardess on the plane of an Asian competitor because he lost a bet with the boss of this company. This is the example of the mastery of this communication, "adds the analyst. He said easyJet plays here on the ground Ryanair's usual "but less provocative."

The communications department of the company does not deny: "It was simple, cheap to organize and the buzz has been all alone.The competition was launched for fun and was unpretentious, the group's image, "says Celine Take, however, confirms that the competition has allowed" to promote the destinations of the company. "

In the end, "this competition reflects the values ​​of iconoclastic low cost, this idea of" one against the establishment. " Here is the idea of ​​royalty that democratised is shown with the desire to live the dream of a prince to these candidates, making possible the dream of traveling. By taking this walk-cons, easyJet won image points, "says Jean-Paul Treguer.

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Former boss of Microsoft, changed to humanitarian, takes his pilgrim's staff for the cause of the poor among European leaders, a few months before the G8 and G20 chaired by France. Pitches yesterday in Paris, where he met President Sarkozy, Minister of Economy Christine Lagarde, and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Alain Juppe, Bill Gates connects today by the European Parliament in Strasbourg, before reach Berlin. "There is a real risk in the context of crisis in the euro area, and shrinking budgets as the United States to relegate development assistance in the background," says the philanthropist, who placed more than a third of his fortune in his foundation, with 34 billion dollars.

In his meeting with Nicolas Sarkozy, Bill Gates has mainly supported the commitments made by States in favor of poor countries.The stated objective of the European Union is to spend, by 2015, 0.7% of GDP to official development assistance (ODA). The French will still have to prove, "said Bill Gates in substance. Although second in volume behind the United States, ODA accounted in 2009 only 0.46% of GDP and the president announced a freeze on 2011, 2012 and 2013. "If you remove this amount of debt relief and some other things that do not really help, it is even lower," he said.

British example

In particular, France makes no distinction between soft loans and grants. The American billionaire has, however, hailed the example of Britain, became a "reference", which despite its drastic cuts more money for development and by 2013 should reach 0.7%.

Bill Gates has agreed, at the request of Nicolas Sarkozy, the floor on innovative financing, particularly to study the proposal, championed by France, the tax on financial transactions. While recognizing that without the support of the United States would be difficult. It must report its findings in the context of the G20 summit next November in Cannes.

If he was in Paris yesterday, was also to present a communication campaign designed to combat misconceptions about development aid, designed in partnership with the NGO One, Bono, lead singer of U2. The campaign is called "Living Proof" (living proof). Transforming Lives. Together ". The message is clear: to prove, figures and examples to support the effectiveness of aid. Resolutely optimistic, Bill Gates sweeping criticisms of the hand. "Just look at the results," he insists.It's phenomenal. "The examples in the health and agriculture, the two priorities of its foundation, do not miss. "Just as I was talking about the magic of software, I now speak of the magic of vaccines." Magic which has, since 1988, reduce by 99% cases of polio. Malaria cases have dropped by 50% in 38 countries between 2000 and 2008. Deaths from measles in Africa have fallen by 92% between 2000 and 2008. Between 1990 and 2005 the number of people living in extreme poverty fell by 400 million …

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Slowly, the Reformers made their place in the station. Certainly, the CGT union is the first with 37.3% of votes cast at the last workplace elections, but the organization suffered another setback. She had obtained 40% of the vote in 2009, during the recent workplace elections.

30% for the reformist pole

Reform said the pole winner in this election. The National Union of Autonomous Trade Unions (UNSA-Cheminots) harvest of votes and 21.4% (against 18.05% in 2009) and the French Democratic Confederation of Labour (CFDT) 13.7% (against 11.59% in 2009). Together, the two unions represent 30% of voters, allowing them to sign agreements without the support of another organization.

New twist in the scandal that stirred Mediator pharmaceutical industry for over two months. Already suspended for three weeks of drug companies' union (Leem), the Servier Laboratory announced Thursday afternoon his resignation from the professional organization, saying "unjustified" putting away Leem, effective since 19 January.

"Such a stance is a Leem unacceptable bias which seriously undermines the rights of the defense and the fundamental principle of the presumption of innocence," said the laboratory, which since the beginning of the case tries to minimize casualties. And despite a report Igas (General Inspectorate of Social Affairs) of 15 January, rather damning on the safety profile of the product sold since 1976, and on the responsibility of the laboratory.

Directed by Christian Lajoux, Leem includes over 300 companies in the pharmaceutical industry, covering virtually the entire activity of the drug in France. Therefore, the absence of the first independent laboratory hexagonal, with 3.7 billion euros in turnover, sounds like a mini thunderbolt free credit report and score. Especially since Jacques Servier, has already decided on January 25 last to leave the presidency of the "G5", which includes five of the largest French pharmaceutical group, "to devote himself primarily to the defense of his company.

The manufacturer of the antidiabetic prescribed as an appetite suppressant, and blamed in the deaths of at least 500 patients, finds herself alone to defend itself in this sensitive issue, which could cost up to $ 1.6 billion euros in compensation to victims.Jacques Servier, is to appear next February 11th before the 15th Criminal Chamber of the Tribunal de Grande Instance of Nanterre, in response to 116 complaints for "involuntary homicide and injuries". Patron founder and omnipotent laboratories of the same name, Jacques Servier will be hard pressed to convince the irresponsibility of its society. But also to maintain credibility within its group, while his handling of the huge health crisis currently does more than debate.

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It is unknown to the general public and comes from Finland: Neste Oil is the worst company in the world because of its social and environmental performance, according to the NGO Berne Declaration (BD). Neste Oil was awarded the Public Eye on Davos People's Award 2011, after voting on the Internet. His crime? Produce and sell "Neste Green diesel" (green diesel) from the NGO which has no environmentally friendly than the name.

Appellation 'misleading'

This term "is misleading because this product is composed mainly of palm oil, whose company is poised to become the largest buyer of the planet," she says in a statement."The growing demand for palm oil always leads to more deforestation in Indonesia and Malaysia, endangering the last remaining sanctuaries of the Orang-utan."

The Finnish company says he was victim of a Greenpeace campaign which would be voting against it. "The result of the Public Eye Award We are not favorable," acknowledged Simo Honkanen, sustainable development manager at Neste Oil, before defending the company: "We only buy palm oil (…) whose origin is verified. Demonstrate its environmental commitment, Neste Oil said to have been ranked as the best performing sector in terms of its "environmental footprint" by the Forest Footprint Disclosure Project. Only problem: it is the only company that responded to the questionnaire.

Neste Oil is booming. She is currently increasing its production capacity in Rotterdam and Singapore.Its main supplier, IOI, will double its area of operation of oil palm in order to keep up with demand. World production is doubling every two years for 30 years. In the future, "compared to 2000, demand for palm oil will double by 2030 and triple by 2050," DB plans.

New customers are becoming interested in diesel-based palm oil, such as Lufthansa German Airlines and Finnair Finnish. The latter, according to the NGO, however, would have taken these distances with Neste Oil in recent weeks to avoid negative publicity.

Nestle pinned

Other industrial addicted to oil palm have been found in the crosshairs of environmental activists. For example, the agribusiness giant Nestle has been singled out by Greenpeace in 2010 for palm oil contained in some products."The production of this oil requires chemicals that poison water, land, wildlife, flora and people," insists DB.

Neste Oil is not the only company terminated at Davos this year by the NGO. A jury of experts awarded the Public Eye Award at the South African mining company AngloGold / Ashanti. The latter is responsible for "poisoning the land and inhabitants in the course of business of gold mining in Ghana", accuses DB. "Toxic Substances flow from mining waste sites, polluting rivers and drinking water sources on which entire villages," explains the NGO.

Unhappy in the Channel Tunnel, but winner between Tangier and Casablanca. Alstom, the manufacturer of high-speed trains, has won a contract worth about 400 million euros for the delivery of 14 trains at two levels (duplex), which should enter service in 2015. With this high speed line, linking Tangiers in Casablanca two ten instead of four forty-five now. Then, the train should be extended to Marrakech and Agadir.

Trains will travel at 320 km / h between Tangier and Kenitra then 160 or 220 to Casablanca. The trains will be designed and manufactured mainly in France. Then the motor and the trains will be assembled near Tangiers.

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The markets have calmed down Thursday, confident that Ireland will get fast enough funding from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the euro area, estimated between 45 and 90 billion euros. "We're talking about a loan is very important, certainly tens of billions of euros", said on Thursday, Patrick Honohan, Governor of the Central Bank of Ireland, Irish state radio RTE.

Talks between the Irish government, experts from the IMF and the European Central Bank began Thursday at the headquarters of the Central Bank in Dublin. They continued to the Ministry of Finance. A dozen experts from the IMF are expected to Dublin for a mission that will last "several days".

Guarantee on deposits

Meanwhile, Irish banks are still living under infusion of the European Central Bank – 130 billion injected into late October – and the Irish Central Bank, who confessed she had provided "extraordinary liquidity to the banks unable to refinance in the interbank market.

For its part, the Irish government has extended until the end of 2011 its guarantee on deposits to unlimited amounts, confirming fears of bank runs in Ireland. "Voters are calling me asking if they should not leave their money to open accounts in pounds sterling!" Said Michael Noonan, a spokesman for the opposition to the financial affairs.According to European sources, close to the negotiations, the bailout plan in the study represent "about half" of gross domestic product (GDP) in Ireland -159 000 000 000 euros. The loans will target primarily the banks. A fund would be reserved for them, with 50 billion euros at least, for the recapitalization program.

But credit lines will also benefit the Irish State, which multiplies the austerity plans, the risk of killing its growth, according to European experts. Next week, the government has yet to adopt an austerity plan providing 15 billion euros of budget savings by 2014.

Rather than cutting spending, France and Germany insist that Ireland has raised its corporate tax, one of the lowest in Europe at 12.5%. Paris and Berlin would be a prerequisite of their loan.But Dublin resists with all his forces to abandon the tax advantage which the fortune of the island. "It's not! And it is not negotiable! "Said on Thursday, Deputy Prime Minister Mary Coughlan. On this highly sensitive to the IMF will be decisive.

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France Telecom continues to make every effort to be more active on the mobile market in France. After the launch of two new offers, "one on the triple play to 34.90 euros and the launch quad play with Open," the group hopes to market the iPad for Christmas, "says general manager, Stéphane Richard In an interview with Le Parisien, Aujourd'hui en France. In fact, the leader believes that "the shelves are clearly the gift of Christmas 2010." Concerning the proposed rate, Stéphane Richard says only that France Telecom plans to "proposed iPad 3G at an affordable price with two packages."

In addition, Orange "soon will market the tablet Samsung at a price lower than the iPad with a package."But the operator does not stop there: "After Christmas we offer probably the other two blocks, less than 200 euros: a 7-inch Huawei and 10 inches of French Archos.

Transfer to Orange Sport

Moreover, following the fiasco of the chain Orange Sport, the incumbent is fixed until 2012 to sell its sports channel, but warns that without a buyer at that time, he'll be left no other option but to close cash till payday advance.

Stéphane Richard acknowledges that finding buyers is difficult, given the importance of losses incurred by Orange Sports. "When a chain loses 200 million euros each year, it's normal that they are not much to shake the door," he notes. However all is not lost, the officer noted that "the door is not closed with the League" of professional football."There are also opportunities, especially on the side of TF1 and Canal +," he said.

Appointment of mediator

Another subject, the officer said that to ease the tense social climate and to cope with the wave of suicide a national ombudsman will be established for employees "most vulnerable" by the end of the year. "Things have improved even if we have not yet reached the status of calm, serenity, to which I aspire," says the boss, when asked about the social situation in the company.

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Effective January 1, all ads of property for sale or lease must indicate the diagnosis result of energy efficiency (ECD). A measure that applies to both individuals and professionals. This ECD, which classifies dwellings into seven categories according to their energy consumption (from A to G at 50 kWh/m2/year beyond kWh/m2/year 450) is already mandatory for over three years. Simply, he intervened in general when the deal was almost finalized. "It's a revolution for the housing market," said Secretary of State for Housing, Benoist Appeared, who introduced the measure Wednesday by the Council of Ministers. According to him, this obligation will make the energy performance as a selling point, like appliances. For accommodation of 100 m2 heated gas, energy costs from 250 € to 2250 € per year between Class A and G."This will have an impact on prices and will push owners to work saving energy," Benoist Appeared. "It's a great extent, but the impact on prices will not necessarily major, grade Hiccups Guy, president of real estate network that bears his name. In the former, most homes are poorly marked. "

Higher standards in new

Benoist Appeared does not seek to enforce this DGCCRF payday loans with no fax obligation. He recalled that in the absence of such posting an aggrieved consumer may break the deal or demand a lower price or even get a criminal penalty.

Consequence of this measure: the importance of ECD has become stronger. But the diagnosticians at work since 2006 does not shine all through their professionalism.While stressing that the French ECD is generally more complete than that of our European neighbors, the Secretary of State for Housing acknowledged that there were vastly improved. In the future, the number of parameters estimated to increase from 30 to 60 and training for diagnosticians will be framed.

Evidence that energy savings in housing is a hot topic, it is also what appeared Wednesday the decree establishing the thermal regulation 2012, which aims to divide by three energy consumption in new buildings. This text will apply from 28 October 2011 public buildings and commercial and as of 1 January 2013 for new housing. At that time, these structures must meet the standard "low-energy building" (BBC), that is to say, consume more 50kWh/m2/an.According to a study by the Agency for Environment and Energy Management (ADEME), the additional construction will amount, in 2013, between 5% and 7%.