International & World Report

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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The serial number of recalls Toyota has not been completed. The Japanese giant, on Thursday demanded the return of the factory more than two million cars in the United States and Canada. This episode, however, should close a long black series for the builder who was forced to recall nearly 10 million cars since 2009.

And floor mats are once again causing the problem. They are indeed capable of blocking the gas pedal. Return factory aims to prevent the floor mat may be misplaced, "which can interfere with the operation of the accelerator pedal," said the builder. "If this happens, the accelerator pedal can be temporarily trapped in a partially depressed position, instead of returning to normal."The official inquiry by the U.S. National Highway Safety has recently confirmed that the problems of unintended acceleration of the Japanese manufacturer of cars, causing massive recalls from the end of 2009 were due to mechanical problems, not systems electronics.

Toyota and Lexus models concerned 4×4

Several models are now affected by this problem. 4×4 vehicles, model 2004 to 2007, Toyota lists 789,000 U.S. and 30,400 in Canada.The owners of the vehicles Toyota and Lexus are also expected to return to their dealership, they are nearly 1 installment payday loans.38 million U.S. and 116,000 in Canada.

The administrator of the traffic safety agency (NHTSA) U.S. Department of Transportation, David Strickland, said in a statement Thursday that the new reminder to the investigation led by its services. "NHTSA has reviewed over 400,000 pages of documents to determine if the Toyota scope of its recall was sufficient pedal stuck.As a result of this examination by the Administration, NHTSA has asked Toyota to recall these additional vehicles, and now that (the manufacturer) has done, our investigation is closed, "said David Strickland.

But the return to normal could take some time for the builder who already pay a fine of $ 50 million to U.S. authorities. Besides these many recalls have tarnished the image of the world's leading automotive and affected its sales. In the U.S. market, Toyota has lost its number two position in favor of Ford, behind the number one General Motors.

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The amazement continues to grow at Renault, touched by an incredible case of industrial espionage. The three top leaders laid off on Monday, "particularly strategic position in the business," threatened "consciously and deliberately" of "strategic assets, intellectual and technological, management said Thursday, citing" a beam converging elements . The group, for whom the facts are "very serious" studying options that would lead "inevitably to a complaint."

"The matter seems serious," responded Eric Besson, Minister of Industry, stating, after discussing with the management of Renault, the term "economic war" was "adapted".He said he called for the strengthening of measures with regard to trade secret for companies receiving public money.

The secret information released outside concern, according to several sources, the battery and the engine of future electric vehicles, those who come out after 2012. The three executives complained could have sold patents not yet filed one or more intermediaries specializing in competitive intelligence, internal sources said Thursday. Regarding the final recipient of this information, Renault suspected a Chinese actor, according to several inside sources. The French secret services, who are taking this matter seriously, have started an investigation that also favors the Chinese track, according to our information.Indeed, the Central Directorate of Internal Intelligence (DCRI) was seized by the Elysee an investigation into industrial espionage attributed to three Renault executives confirmed a government source told Reuters.

The group is especially shocked that the electric car is its flagship project. He would like to become his ally with Nissan, the number one market. The French manufacturer, which will launch four electric cars 2011-2012, has filed 56 patents on the electric car, 34 deposits are imminent and 115 others are being analyzed. In total, Renault-Nissan has invested 4 billion in this technology, including $ 1.5 billion in the battery, the sinews of war. All the Chinese manufacturers close behind the group, with 1.36 billion invested in the electric battery, according to Roland Berger.China launched an ambitious program to develop electric vehicles, comprising 16 public constructors. It plans to invest approximately $ 15 billion in ten years on green vehicles.

The most senior of the three men implicated, Jean-Michel Balthazar, a member of the steering committee and director of the division and upstream projects, "was known for his involvement in the group. Hired in 1980, he led the development of the Laguna 3 until late 2005. His deputy, Bertrand Rochette, responsible for pre-projects, has also been laid off. As Matthew Tenenbaum, assistant project manager electrical vehicles.

Several months of investigation

The three men were the subject for several months of investigation by the ethics committee of the group, warned in late August.Monday, after "sufficient evidence" were gathered to prove that confidential information had been transmitted to the outside, security agents raided the Technocentre in their offices and seized their computers. These people were immediately ordered to leave the company. The ethics committee will share their grievances which they are charged Jan. 17, according to internal sources.A conversation that could lead to their dismissal.

Cope with "many rumors" circulating and are "likely to undermine the image and effectiveness" of the group, Patrick Pelata, the deputy CEO of Renault, has sent an e-mail to employees urging them to "reserve".

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With its $ 297 billion market capitalization, Apple is becoming the most prominent company of the year. According to Bloomberg, the firm is paid to the apple 14 times its profits. A level which puts it unquestionably at the third place of the largest market capitalizations in the world in 2010.

Performance is particularly noteworthy that Apple was not even in the top 10 last year. Third place was occupied at the time by … Microsoft. The eternal rival in 2010 to settle for fifth place with a market capitalization of 238 billion dollars. This result was predictable: in May already, Apple upset the technology sector by announcing a market capitalization close to $ 225 billion higher than Microsoft. The gap widened by some 60 billion dollars since.

New growth

This year, Apple shares have been growing by almost 50% from about $ 214 in January to more than 320 in New York. This enthusiasm for the company's shares rose as and when the group's publications. Quarter after quarter, it exceeded the consensus of economists, showing results astronomical $ 65 billion in annual sales, 14 billion net profit, 50 billion of available cash.

The group of Steve Jobs has had a prosperous year 2010 with growth of 31% of Mac sales and a 74% jump in sales of iPhones. The success of the iPad, questioned its launch, was also visible, with 7.5 million units sold in just six months, making the tablet's Christmas present this year's inescapable. This is the basis of growth that the market is betting on the rise.Steve Jobs promises because new innovations in the coming months and rumors about future acquisitions are already dreaming investors.

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The Paris Bourse she succeed in saving the 3900 points at the end of the year? Since Friday, nothing is more certain. ACC 40a chained Monday its fourth session in the red, troubled by rising Chinese interest rates announced during the weekend. Tuesday could be the fifth straight session in negative territory if investors follow the footsteps of their Asian counterparts. The latter, still reeling from Chinese advertisements, attended the Tokyo Stock Exchange, which reacted negatively to several national macroeconomic statistics. Moreover, the markets should not be supported by Wall Street. The U.S. stock market, which reopened yesterday after a long weekend, Christmas has indeed closed uncoordinated.

On Tuesday, however, could play several statistics on trends.In France, first, INSEE announced before the opening of markets, the growth of the French economy in the second and third quarters of 2010 was revised slightly downward, respectively +0.6% (cons +0.7% previously) and +0.3% (+0.4% cons).

United States, in the afternoon, will be published index of house prices, the index of investor confidence and the index of consumer confidence in December.

On the currency markets, the euro is rising against the greenback in the morning. It traded against the dollar 1.3229 (+0.32%).

Alcatel-Lucent is paying for corruption

As for values, Alcatal-Lucent will be awaited.The telecoms group has agreed to pay more than $ 137 million under a settlement of a case where he was accused by the U.S. court of having bribed some officials to win contracts in America and Latin Asie.En February, Alcatel-Lucent said it had provisioned 93 million euros in the framework of the case.

The General Assembly of SIIC de Paris has approved the transaction Contributed by SFL of two buildings in the district of La Defense business in exchange for 29.99% stake in the company.

Risc, specializing in computer services, has sold four of its foreign subsidiaries to the STS software company for 6.1 million euros.

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The movement of the road is expected to go up a notch next week. Sector unions call for employees to vote as of Monday morning on further actions, including possible strikes.

This weekend, the CFDT and CGT trucking organize specific actions, such as temporary blockades of oil depots, operations "snail" and roadblocks and platforms for the retail supply.

"We expected the government to take the pulse of discontent in the country, he did not follow the path of reason. We have the ability to transport the extra mile to help employees.We will return to the movement to curb the government, "exliqué the secretary general of the CFDT Road, Maxime Dumont.

"We will increase inter-union from Monday to decide on actions," he said, adding that "next week will be decisive." "We must expand the actions and participate in demonstrations Tuesday", also called Saturday the CGT federation Transport.

Transportation funds targeted

In the transport sector funds, strikes have already been decided locally low fee cash advance."Agencies like Chambery (Brinks, Loomis, Banque de France) will be on strike starting Monday, the agencies will follow behind as Valencia and we are waiting for big agencies such as Paris, Toulouse, Marseille," says Stéphane Debosque of CGT Loomis.

The Transport Union Solidarity aims to be as radical, "we carry the fuel, we supply superstores, we feed the company's raw material. Coupons touch, lock in business inventories, "she said Friday.

No use of trucks

The UR, employers' organization representing the SOHO and small road transport, insisted it would not accept the road, who are called to action Saturday and Sunday as part of the mobilization against pensions, why use HGVs.

"The actions should be undertaken on foot or by car," said Maxime Dumont well, CFDT Transportation majority in the industry.

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The leaders of the U.S. biotechnology group Genzyme had said they would not sell below $ 80 per share. Sanofi-Aventis announced Sunday it has nevertheless proposed a takeover offer for about $ 18.5 billion, or $ 69 per share, confirming persistent rumors since last July. This represents a premium of 38% over the closing price of 49.86 dollars per share of Genzyme July 1, just before it is affected by acquisition rumors, Sanofi said in a statement. The transaction would be solely in cash.

The French pharmaceutical group had remained silent since the leaks in the press last month about his interest in American business.The CEO of Sanofi-Aventis, Chris Viehbacher, confirmed to Le Figaro that the group would continue its acquisition policy.

A world leader in the development

The main shareholder of Sanofi-Aventis, L'Oréal and Total, is shown also booked on the takeover, fearing that the French pharmaceutical group pays its target too cher.Le board of the group had warned that he does not go beyond $ 70 per share. Analysts estimated the amount of money available for redemption at about 20 billion euros.

In a statement, Sanofi-Aventis said that "bringing the two companies would create a global leader in the development and availability of new treatments, bringing to each new significant growth opportunities."

The Spanish economy is indeed recovering from recession. The results of the second quarter, with GDP growth of 0.2%, according to final figures released yesterday, confirmed. This is the second positive quarter after 18 months of recession. A marked improvement in household consumption, especially durable goods, coupled with a slight improvement in business investment boosted the recovery between April and June, also helped by strong exports. The contribution of domestic demand growth rose from -2.8% to -0.5%.

But the horizon may darken in the coming months. "We expected a good performance of consumption with purchases made ahead before stopping the car scrapping and entry into force of up 2 points from VAT, says Jesus Castillo, Natixis.In addition, new restrictive measures and labor market will always influence the damaged second half. "

Social unrest

The bank fraud rebounding. The fraud rate for all types of payment cards has reached 0.072% in 2009, amounting to 342.4 million euros, according to the annual report of the Observatory for Payment Card Security released Tuesday. In 2008, the rate was 0.069%, corresponding to an amount of 320.2 million euros. The fraud has overtaken its 2004 level (0.070%), after having stabilized between 2005 (0.064%) and 2007 (0.062%).

This increase masks "divergent trends," says the report by the Centre, presented by Christian Noyer, governor of the Bank of France. On the one hand, fraud on national payments made to retail outlets and automata remains on a downward slope. It reached a low in 2009, ie a rate of 0.014% for a $ 41 million.

Conversely, fraud is still gaining ground on front of remote payments (internet, telephone or mail). For domestic payments, the amount of fraudulent transactions has risen from 67.2 million euros in 2008 to 82.2 million euros in 2009. An increase that does not include payments made from abroad. If the amount of fraud registered for French maps in international traders remained high (60.5 million euros) last year, he registered a slight decline.

At a time when networks compete in international fraud imagination, the Observatory for Payment Card Security said in its report that "the majority of the holders consider the card as a secure means of payment.The organization, which advocates the establishment of strong authentication solutions to verify, whenever possible and appropriate, the payment is made by the legitimate holder of the card, "has conducted a qualitatlive investigation to determine the acceptance of such devices by consumers.

Online payments still inspire confidence

And the verdict of the study is final, according to the Observatory. While "significant concerns remain regarding online payments, particularly on foreign sites, users of payment cards of all types" show a clear preference for strong authentication solutions. " These include for example the use of a single use code obtained by various means (card reader, sending an SMS from the bank, etc.).

These findings appear to be timely.The construction of strong authentication is indeed well advanced. "The implementation by banks of these solutions with their carriers is now being phased in accordance with the recommendations of the Bank of France," says Monitor's report.

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Often criticized by customers, the outsourcing of call centers to foreign countries is becoming a government priority. According to Le Parisien on Sunday, the record has been taken over by the Secretary of State for Employment Laurent Wauquiez. The latter is studying a plan of action to fight against the leakage of these jobs outside French territory.

To emphasize the installation of these centers in France, the Secretary of State may well introduce a surcharge "of calls from sites located abroad.Conversely, companies deciding to keep their call centers in France would receive the "nudges" as aid in recruitment, training, installation in rural areas or relief from social security contributions, believes Learn daily.

More transparency

Laurent Wauquiez would generally aim to "make practices more transparent" left to prepare "a list of poor performers. The fight against the relocation, however, looks very difficult. According to latest estimates, dating to 2008, the Union of professional contact center (SP2C), an employee of a call center Morocco is for example paid between 400 and 450 euros a month against a minimum of 1320 euro gross France (including bonuses and thirteenth month).The battle is also likely to face the refusal of the Commission in Brussels which could object to these tax measures.

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