International & World Report

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 …

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RenRen chose the upper range for its share price – $ 14 cons 9-11 dollars raised mid-April. The deal allows him to raise 743.4 million dollars, a value estimated at over $ 4 billion.

Created in 2005, RenRen claims 160 million users, including 31 million active monthly (cons over 600 million for Facebook). Its turnover amounted to 20.5 million in first quarter 2011, up 46% in one year, $ 2.6 million net loss.

Opponents of the gas and oil shale will not be satisfied with the recent announcements by the government is considering banning the extraction of hydrocarbons in May. National coordination group opposed to the gas and oil shale holds since Friday until Sunday a series of rallies in the south and east and in the Paris region, in areas where the government has issued permits exploration or considered the possibility. Planned events include Saturday in Marseille (Bouches-du-Rhone), Meaux (Seine-et-Marne), Rousson (Gard), Donzère (Drôme), Lyon (Rhone) and Lons-le-Saunier (Jura). Sunday, decreed a "national day of mobilization", other gatherings are planned in Cahors (Lot) and Blyes (Ain). Protesters call again the firm and definitive cessation of these hydrocarbons.New anti-capitalist party (NPA) on Friday called on to participate in the mobilizations.

The recent pronouncements of the Ministry of Ecology and Prime Minister, if they have a little reassured opponents, have not entirely convinced. So they refuse to release the pressure. "We see it is understood (…) Now we are asked to repeal and only then that the mobilization will stop," said Anne Lacouture, Assistant José Bové, leader of the protest. MEP Ecology Europe will participate Sunday in the Aveyron mobilization in its stronghold in Nantes, which gave its name to one of the permits issued by the former Minister of Ecology Jean-Louis Borloo. These allow large groups to explore for oil and gas in areas that may contain shale gas.The Department of Ecology has acknowledged that three licenses granted in the region in March 2010 were used for the exploration of unconventional oil. The legal uncertainty that currently exists on the issue can not be sure whether other permits issued in recent years does not apply also to search for and extract gas from shale.

A report due by François Fillon

Before the wind of revolt, Prime Minister Francois Fillon said Wednesday the cancellation of licenses already granted. The Minister for Ecology Nathalie Kosziusko-Morizet had requested the suspension of exploration work in February, a form of de facto moratorium. A bill must be considered in an emergency procedure from 10 May to the Assembly to formally ban them extraction.Si the ban is passed, it could however be only temporary.Francis expects Filllon including the report of a mission "to better understand the shale gas." Eventually, a development of the mining code to strictly supervise the extraction of these hydrocarbons is not unthinkable, say experts elsewhere.

François Fillon on Wednesday gave impression that the government reserved the option to "go again" projects "in a way maybe a little more acceptable the next time," said Anne Lacouture. "For us, it is not acceptable, regardless of how it's done," she added.The techniques used to release the hydrocarbon trapped in the rock, the injection of very high pressure water mixed with chemicals, fears of pollution of groundwater, the devastation of the landscape and environment and development Risk-based economies, as in the Aveyron, on high-quality agriculture and tourism.

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While Free was sentenced on March 22, following a complaint by the association UFC-Que Choisir, to end a number of illegal practices, the operator has decided on Thursday to amend the terms and conditions (GTC) of its contracts, as revealed Freenews site. Free was a period of 15 days from service of the decision to end four practices deemed unfair, under penalty of 2000 euros per day of delay.

Major change: the cancellation fee will now be fixed at 49 euros, replacing the former "activation fee collection deferred to" step-down. This is the average amount for most operators. Previously, Free billed 96 euros lower than 3 euros a month old. Termination charges thus became void after two and a half years (32 months).

This is the most important provision of the ruling because it blew the system of "loyalty" set up by Free. "Again, an association of consumers, without even asking their opinion, defended and passed a decision that is far from the benefit of all subscribers, the site responded Freebox Universe. Subscribers will pay more termination fees after 2.5 years. It will not be the case. This system therefore no advantage that customers who stay less than a year and a half to Free. " "The system will be much more transparent. If the customer moved or changed box, restart from zero, "says Edouard Barreiro of UFC-Que Choisir cashadvance.

Another change is that Free users will now have their choice of method of payment: debit or credit card payment.Previously, Free debit imposed upon subscription of the subscription and required management fees of EUR 4 per month if the client insisted on paying by check or credit card. For refractory to direct debit, a deposit of 400 euros will be established.

New clauses

It is also now possible to terminate during the month, with repayment of overpayment. Previously, started month was due. Finally, the option "Service Plus" (to 9.99 euros per month) disappears. He was criticized for Free not to indicate it was purchased for a period of 12 months automatically renewed when the main subscription is taken for a period of one month renewable.

Free declined to comment Thursday.These new provisions will apply immediately to new customers who will validate the GCS, then automatically to other customers in the coming weeks, after a period of information.

Free is not the only one in the crosshairs of the UFC. The association has initiated proceedings on the GTC SFR six clauses were deemed unfair. And his complaint against eleven clauses Numericable is currently on appeal.

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It only took ten days for the disaster that befell Japan to produce its first effects on European industry. Difficulties, suffering the effects of Hitachi, PSA Peugeot Citroën, today reduced the rates in most of its European factories. The activity will drop to 75% at Sochaux, Mulhouse and Sevelnord, and between 40% and 50% of normal level at Aulnay and Poissy, Madrid and Vigo (Spain) and Trnava (Czech Republic). Only Rennes Mangualde (Portugal) are not affected.

The price of lean

Hitachi manufactures flow meters, an electronic component essential to diesel engines fitted to 68% of cars sold in Europe by PSA. This supplier "gradually resumed its production," says the manufacturer, who expects "a return to normal within a week." In total, PSA works with a score of suppliers in Japan."In light of available stocks and the status of their production, apart from Hitachi, we have no particular problem so far," said a spokesman.

At Renault, only the Korean plant in Busan, more dependent on Japan, saw its production drop about 20%. Shipments of components left by ship from the archipelago to the continent before the earthquake. "We have before us a few weeks' supply, says the Diamond brand. Meanwhile, the group meets every day "several crisis centers" to list, among the parts come from Japan, "those that could pose a problem." Among the solutions: air supply or transfer to other suppliers.

According to the American Institute of forecasting IHS, all major manufacturers will still be affected by the disaster from mid-April.These, as well as many other industry groups of all sizes are now paying the price of the strategies carried out over two years. Once essential to profitability, the flow became tight, financial crisis requires a condition of survival. Manufacturers have made drastic efforts to preserve their liquidity. And to that end, they accelerated their policies to reduce their inventories.

Being lean makes some firms more vulnerable today. "The policy of active management of stocks is assumed that there is no break in the supply chain," said Philippe Waechter. The director of economic research at Natixis believes however that the model should not be questioned, "it is probably not possible to run a business as a rule by considering the occurrence of very low probability event."

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This is another victory for Xavier Niel, the CEO of Iliad, the parent of the famous provider of Internet access Free. His group has announced this Thursday it managed to sign an agreement on the mobile second generation (2G) extended to the third generation (3G) and that "after a process of negotiating several months." Under this agreement, Free Mobile, the mobile phone subsidiary of the Iliad group that has battled for years for the fourth mobile license alongside incumbents (Orange, Bouygues, SFR), may rely on Network of Orange (France Telecom), to deploy its own services. One condition: to have covered with its own facilities at least 25% of the population before you can use those of its competitor.Free promised in the license obtained in 2010 to have its own network covering at least 90% of the population by 2018.

Surprise on 3G

This agreement is not a surprise, the Regulatory Authority for Electronic Communications and Posts (ARCEP) has already announced that Free Mobile would be entitled to national roaming on the 2G mobile network of an existing operator. But no question for Free not to include 3G in the future agreement, which allows the exchange of data in much better conditions than the 2G.

The fourth player of the future will indeed had not facilitated the negotiations with the three incumbents. Indeed difficult to accept to host a new entrant comes increased competition.Niel had denounced them fall ill will, and threatened to sue if they continued to show very receptive, especially 3G pay day loans.

So finally that Orange will be the "godfather" of Iliad in the deployment of its mobile telephony offer. Relief for Free for whom the extension of the Agreement in 3G roaming, was not guaranteed in terms of the license. It will allow Free Mobile to offer services more comfortable and more attractive offers to its subscribers, a crucial element for making market share.With this partnership, Free Mobile may therefore indeed launch 3G offerings covering over 97% of the country by early 2012.

One billion euros extra for Orange

Financial terms of the agreement, which covers a period of 6 years, have not been detailed, but the contract would provide Orange with additional sales of one billion euros, spread over the entire period agreement.

Moreover Maxime Lombardini, chief executive of the Iliad, confirmed the group's financial forecasts, namely investment of one billion euros for Free Mobile, and a balance before arrival at the same that Free Mobile reaches 10% market share. "Do not think that because we have homelessness, we will stop to deploy," said Maxime Lombardini. It has already commissioned the research, negotiation and construction of 5000 highs.And advance the deployment takes place properly, "he said.

At the Paris Bourse, the announcement has boosted Iliad, clinching the title with 5.75% to 10.30, to 85.38 euros as investors hailing an agreement that will hold its Free to schedule, namely a started its commercial offering in less than a year.

The "pact of competitiveness" so dear to Germany Will it fizzle? Aware of the strong opposition raised by the proposals of Berlin, the European Council president, Herman Van Rompuy, unveiled on Monday closed its proposals to remedy the debt crisis in the euro area. A document which should allow the compromise by watering down the ideas initially advanced by Germany and France.

The plan, which will be formally submitted to the heads of seventeen at a special summit on March 11, is still only a working document.It was commissioned by Paris and Berlin on February 4 after a stormy summit, the other Member States with very little agreed to meet with a fait accompli of a "diktat" German.

Three key indicators

Rather than risk another clash on March 11, potentially disastrous for the euro area at a time when the doubts come on the market, the Commission services and Herman Van Rompuy preferred to exclude the more controversial ideas of the French plan German. The document, drawn up after consultation with seventeen governments no longer mentions the abandonment of wage indexation on inflation or the increase in age pensions.

Instead, the proposal provides for indicators to be met in three key areas: competitiveness, employment and public finances, according to a well-placed source.Governments would be required for example to stop the rise in wages if it became too large. They undertake to adopt systems of checks to the debt "in case of runaway, without directly copying the German model. They should also set goals for reducing unemployment, and monitor their systems for financing pensions. The exact details remain to be defined.

Another amendment: assessment would be entrusted to the Commission and not the capital, which should satisfy both small countries and the EU executive who feared that the Community method wither.

With this document, which is closer to the proposals originally developed by the Commission, Herman Van Rompuy takes the risk of disappointing the markets were hoping that a forceful response to the debt crisis.But it also gives Europeans an opportunity to compromise is crucial not to provoke a new wave of panic about the future of the euro area. Leaders indeed solemnly promised to agree by the end of March on a full arsenal of anti-crisis, including both a governance component of competitiveness through the pact and a safety net through the Financial Stability Fund (FESF ) for indebted countries.

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The government is studying the possibility to make free to the consumer installing smart electricity meter, called "counter Linky.

February 1, on the sidelines of the conference of the Union of renewable energies, Eric Besson, Minister of Industry, indicated that the cost of the meter – about 120 euros – would not pass. Thursday night, during his speech on TV, Nicolas Sarkozy could formalize this option.

Linky counter, which should help control the consumption of electricity, is currently undergoing a phase of experimentation in Indre-et-Loire and Lyon, conducted by ERDF, a subsidiary of EDF support distribution no teletrek payday advance.Following this test (whose budget amounts to 150 million euros), which ends in the spring, the government will decide on funding arrangements and deployment of smart meters.

In the best case, the counter Linky would be deployed in 95% of the 35 million homes by 2018. ERDF has estimated the cost of this program between 4 and 4.3 billion euros.

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Come to Davos as chair of the G8 and G20 to present his agenda, Nicolas Sarkozy has been caught by the news of the European crisis, and he took it head on. "I know some doubts about the sustainability of the euro … The euro is Europe and Europe is sixty years of peace. Will never be denied … The consequences of the disappearance of the euro would be so cataclysmic that we can play with this idea, "he said by getting applause from the thousands of participants present in the great hall of the Congress Center.

Previously he had not hesitated to challenge his audience directly, which is not among the poorest in the world: Those who want to bet against the euro, watch your money! ". A caution vis-à-vis the speculators, with the promise that Europe is ready to increase its firepower."We have established a fund to defend the euro, and we will go further in the coming weeks, Ms. Merkel and myself."

The news is also discontent among bankers at Davos who complain of a return regulations and capital requirements. James Dimon, the boss of JP Morgan Chase, one of the strongest U.S. banks at the height of the crisis, became their spokesman: "Enough is enough!", He has launched the President G20. "I see the risk, if there are too many regulations, we will develop the shadow banking (such as hedge funds, ie)" Nicolas Sarkozy has acknowledged.It has nevertheless stigmatized all blunders led to the collapse of 2008 payday loans in 1 hour. "When a country guaranteed the equivalent of 700% GDP (Iceland with its banks, ie), it is more in a market economy, but in a crazy house! ".

Tax "infinitesimal"

All those who believed that the reordering of international finance was no longer in the concerns of the French Presidency of the G20 will be for expenses. With regard to tax havens, where the previous G20 have implemented ambitious reforms, G20 "Survey commitments (already taken), it is a moral issue."

These updates, including the euro, were really surprised by. "You can not want to reform the international monetary system and does not restore order in his own house" commented one American banker.As for the three French priorities for the G20, which nobody can ignore the three bridgeheads (currencies, commodities, development), Nicolas Sarkozy has made efforts to defuse the criticism. "Nobody wants to weaken the dolla r he said. It is on the raw materials that Sarkozy was the most "political". He makes an issue of poverty and struggle for international public policy, citing food riots that shook northern Africa and terrorism. As for the tax on financial transactions, you have to imagine "the future of 10-20 years," he insisted. A tax "infinitesimal" (sic), would collect $ 120 billion a year that rich countries have pledged to distribute each year at the Copenhagen summit in December 2009 he stressed.