World News – International Headlines, Stories

On his role in the regional campaign

The president denies having engaged in this campaign, including during his trips to the provinces. "I did not give instructions to vote and I will not do. But agree it would be strange if I'm the only one able to explain the issue of regional elections! ". As for the convening of leaders of the campaign in the Ile-de-France, President irritated "those controversies which are permanent loss of valuable time in France": "What has he wonder that I meet with elected Ile-de-France while I myself am an elected official in this region since 1977? ". Concerned by the record abstention rate announced for the election, Nicolas Sarkozy asked the French to vote "is also a civic duty."

The consequences of the ballot

"I am of course aware that the French would say."But Nicolas Sarkozy is very clear: "The election of 14 and 21 March is a regional election: its consequences are so regional. Stressing the need for some stability to the government action, the President cited the example of the longevity record of Christine Lagarde – Minister to only be quoted in the interview – the Ministry of Finance: two and a half years. The president may be considering a "new step" but only after the pension reform – a text should be submitted to parliament in September – even if it does not by that "some governmental adaptation.

On the debate over national identity

Defending himself for having stopped the debate on national identity before the regional, Nicolas Sarkozy promised "major steps" he announced in April.Quoting the words of Claude L?vi-Strauss' identity is not a disease, "the President considers appropriate for the gathering of the country" think together about the direction that our nation should go to the project, its values .

On the economic and fiscal policy

Convinced that the Strategy on Economic currently followed will bear fruit in 2010, particularly in employment, the President is however concerned about deficits. "The truth is that we want the public expenditure and that the crisis has drastically reduced our income tax" analysis does. But no question of raising taxes, he promises again, "either today or tomorrow." "I do not believe in a policy of austerity that has never worked and is cons-productive."The president has not abandoned the idea of a "social VAT" – a term he rejects – for we must continue to consider ways of financing social protection other than taxing work. The carbon tax will also be the day after a consultation at national and European level.

On pension reform

Following consultations with the unions, the government will make proposals for a text to be tabled in Parliament in September. Nicolas Sarkozy reiterates its commitment to the reform will affect the 21 million private employees and 5 million from the public. And if lengthening the contribution period there must be, it concerns both the private and the public.However, the calculation of pensions (based on six months in the public and the best 25 years in private), the President recalled that staff bonuses are not included as it is in the private. "All these elements must be on the table."

On the popularity of Fran?ois Fillon and a second term.

"If it was not popular, I would say we must change. If it is, I am told it is a problem for you. All this, they are vain conjectures. My only problem is to carry out the reforms expected by the French. Do not create problems where there are none. " As for his decision to represent 2012, Nicolas Sarkozy reiterated that the question is premature."I take position at the end of 2011, taking into account a number of collective and personal criteria.

Future reforms, other major projects, open policy of nuclear burning issue … Find the full interview of Nicolas Sarkozy in Le Figaro Magazine to be published Friday, March 12.

The red takes its place at the Paris Stock Exchange on Thursday. The CAC 40 starts the session down 0.47% at 3921.56 points. The London Stock Exchange following the same path with Footsie down from 0.36% to 5620.36 points. The DAX index in Frankfurt also opened down 0.40% at 5913.17 points.

Today, the Tokyo Stock Exchange ended in the green but this positive conclusion seems not strong enough to reassure the markets.

A flurry of statistics

Mixed macroeconomic statistics were published in Asia on Thursday. In Japan, GDP in the fourth quarter was revised downward to 0.9% from the previous quarter instead of 1.1%, business investment had proven that estimated lower initially (at 0.9% over the previous quarter instead of 1%).In contrast, China has announced that industrial production had risen by 20.7% yoy over the first two months of the year and that investment in fixed assets had increased by 26.6% over the same period .

Wednesday evening, the U.S. Treasury announced a record budget deficit of 220.909 billion dollars in February, its seventeenth consecutive month in the red, but with a higher income.

In addition to these data, investors will digest the figures on Thursday the French budget deficit in January. It widened to 9.2 billion euros against 8.1 billion at the same date in 2009, according to the Budget Ministry. Moreover, employment has declined in metropolitan France from 0.1% in the fourth quarter 2009 with 20,400 jobs destroyed in the areas mainly merchants.It's better than the third quarter, when 79,800 positions were eliminated.

The German government debt has climbed from 7.1% in 2009 to nearly 1,700 billion euros, said the Federal Statistics Office Destatis.

To these entries added weekly unemployment and the U.S. trade balance (1430).

Lagard?re and banking unscrew

Lagardere issued yesterday evening poorer results in 2008: net income Group share reached EUR 137 million in 2009, against 593 million euros the previous year. A drop of 77%. Lagard?re table for 2010 down about 10% of its current operating income. The sign under the worst performance of the CAC: -5.02 ? to 27.05 euros.

The threat of monetary restraint in China flat again.Locally, the index of consumer prices rose 2.7% year on year last month, according to the National Bureau of Statistics no credit check payday loans . "If the Prime Minister wants to keep inflation below 3% to prevent overheating of the economy, it will probably need to use all instruments at its disposal," said Brian Jackson of the Royal Bank of Canada. Already, according to the Central Bank, Chinese banks have granted in February for about half of the credit granted in January: 700.1 billion yuan in new loans, against 1390 billion yuan (148 billion euros).

The bank reacted badly: Societe Generale (-1.16% to 44.28%), BNP Paribas (-1.06% to 56.06 euros) and Credit Agricole (-0.5% to 11.96 euros) fall .

Boiron (+0.86% at 31.55 euros) Wednesday announced an operating profit of 91.8 million euros, up 61% for a turnover, which had already been published, 526 , 1 million euros, up 12.7%.

CFAO (-0.88% to 27.69 euros) announced on Thursday a fall of 29.8% of its net earnings in 2009. Net income group share was indeed established at 90.3 million euros against 128.6 million euros a year earlier.

Meetic (-0.31% to 22.67 euros) announced Wednesday the completion of the creation of a joint venture with Match.com to develop their activities in Latin America.

Air France (-0.09% to 10.77 euros) a complaint against the competing company Ryanair.The French company has accused the Irish receive 660 million euros to aid illegal in Europe.

Total (-0.43% to 42.74 euros) is always under pressure from unions after the official announcement of the closure of the refinery at Dunkirk. The SGC of the oil industry, majority, yesterday called the 13 employees at French refinery strike Thursday, April 15.

The case EADS (-0.69% to 15.17 euros) continues. The withdrawal of the European Group in the race for the Pentagon tanker causing diplomatic tensions. Nicolas Sarkozy, on a trip to Washington in late March, has decided to raise the subject during a discussion with Barack Obama.Moreover, the U.S. airline United Airlines has signed a firm order for 25 long-haul Airbus A350, for a contract of $ 6.3 billion at list prices.

OL Group should benefit for some time qualifying historic team in the quarterfinals of the Champions League yesterday against Real Madrid. After the victory, the Exchange welcomes its way Olympique Lyonnais: the title is 8.48% to 9.59 euros.