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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 that he still has a dialogue with the American biotechnology company that wants to buy, based on a price of about $ 18.5 billion, or $ 69 per share, confirming persistent rumors since July. This represents a premium of 38% over the closing price of 49.86 dollars per share of Genzyme July 1, just before it was boosted by rumors of acquisitions, 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.

'To show our determination not to be threatening at once "

The revelation of the terms of negotiation designed to put pressure on the leaders of Genzyme. However, Sanofi-Aventis does not intend to go on the offensive for the moment: he prefers to continue the discussion rather than to launch a firm offer of redemption."We want to show our determination and seriousness, but not immediately threatening," said Chris Viehbacher Thus, the CEO of Sanofi-Aventis said in an interview published in Les Echos on Monday.

Chris Viehbacher business daily said that Genzyme, for his group, represents "a way to add a platform for sustainable growth, when we lose large volumes of sales with the arrival of generic Plavix in Europe, and Eloxatin and Lenovox United States. "He emphasized the" high value "of drugs developed by its target, but judging" expensive ".About the possible synergies between the two groups, the CEO of Sanofi-Aventis said: "It is too soon to go into details but it is clear that we can help, especially to solve the production problems faced by Genzyme .

A world leader in the development

The main shareholder of Sanofi-Aventis, L'Oréal and Total, is shown also reserved about the acquisition, fearing that the French pharmaceutical group pays its target too expensive. The Board of Directors of Sanofi-Aventis 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."

beginning of August euphoric on European exchanges. In Paris the CAC 40 rose 2.99% to 3752.03 points, or beyond the threshold of 3750 points. In London (2.65%), Frankfurt (2.34%) and Madrid (3.2%), the indices show the same optimism. The euro, it is the highest since three months.

Throughout the meeting in Paris, the CAC 40 was worn by banking stocks, while BNP Paribas reported Monday morning a good interim results.Worldwide, banks have been well supported by investors more confidence in the sector, particularly in Europe, and after already good grades stress tests.

The oil sector also outperformed on Monday, while oil was up 2.84% to 17.30 to 81.2 dollars per barrel.

But the boost has been given 16 hours, when the ISM manufacturing activity in the United States has continued to slow in July, the ISM index measuring it has fallen to 55.5, but less expected, according to figures released Monday by the association.A pleasant surprise on the side of the building has boosted the morale of the operators as well.

In Europe, growth in manufacturing output and new orders accelerated, reaching their highest level in three months, according to the latest PMI survey released Monday and conducted by Markit Economics Institute. The PMI index for manufacturing final Eurozone appears already to 56.7 in July against 55.6 in June

Last month, the CAC 40 had already recovered, compared to a decline in June and a memorable month of May in terms of poor performance. Between 1 July and this July 30, the index rose 9.1%. Since the beginning of the year, it remains a decline of 7.45%.Compared to a year ago, it was up 6.3%.

On the values front, we retain:

BNP Paribas (5.27% to 21.5 euros) unveiled on Monday its quarterly results before the market in good order. They are far beyond expectations, thanks to lower provisions. The title gained 4.19% to 54.92 euros. The title brings in its wake Societe Generale (4.67%). For its part, Credit Agricole gained 3.71% to 10.9 euros.

As for the high rise, there are also values related to oil and commodities in general, more expensive that.Technip has been 5.15%, Maurel et Prom, 5.01%, and Arcelor Mittal, the largest increase in the CAC 40 rose 5.81% to 24.75 euros.

Air Liquide (3.43% to 89.433 euros) on Monday confirmed its objective of increasing its net profit in 2010 after an acceleration of growth in sales between the first and second quarter, thanks notably to markets emerging.

France Telecom (2.24% to 16.43 euros) has initiated discussions with shareholders Meditel second operator in Morocco, to acquire 40% stake in it, according to the Moroccan weekly News, suggesting a possible investment of 650 million euros. Title varies slightly to 16.05 euros.

On the other hand, in the red, Areva (-4.04% to 350.05 euros) is at the bottom of the ACC 40.The group released Friday, as expected, half results penalized by an additional provision under the Finnish EPR OL3, but it confirmed its targets for 2010.

Vinci and Eiffage shaped

Eurazeo announced Saturday that entered into exclusive negotiations with the U.S. fund Carlyle for the sale of the hotel chain B & B.Eurazeo gained 4.14% to 50.91 euros.

The construction group Vinci (3.73% to 38.53 euros) was selected Friday by the Government for the concession and the construction of the airport at Notre-Dame-des-Landes, who should take over from 2017 the air service from Nantes-Atlantique.

Eiffage (3.47% to 40.06 euros) published a quarterly revenue up 2.2% and said its order book stood at EUR 10.8 billion at July 1 ( +4.4% at constant since 1 April 2010), more than 11 months of activity.

APRR. The socialist leader Arnaud Montebourg said Friday it has seized the financial markets authority (AMF) to try and block the delisting of Autoroutes Paris Rhin Rhone (APRR) requested by Eiffarie, a joint venture of the Australian Eiffage Macquarie Group

The complaints are increasing in the case Bettencourt. A shareholder of L'Oreal, the group of Liliane Bettencourt, filed a complaint against the photographer François-Marie Banier, close to the billionaire, saying that he had received a contract of convenience from 4 million euros from the company , said Tuesday RTL.

A complaint against X for abuse of corporate assets has been filed with the request, a shareholder of L'Oreal by Frederik-Karel Canoy Me, a lawyer specializing in the defense of such shareholders harmed by embezzlement.

Mayor Francis Banier won in 2002 "contract of 405,000 euros per year for 10 years, which plans to pay the photographer for" fashion tips and artistic sensibility "and a major exhibition of works by year the person, said the radio."It was a bounty, a favor" and "it is estimated that this contract has been only partially fulfilled" by the close of Liliane Bettencourt, Mr. Canoy said. He added: Francois-Marie Banier "would not have known Ms. Bettencourt, he would not have benefited from this contract."

"Life insurance contracts, checks, Master paintings"

Francois-Marie Banier is convenient for several years by Liliane Bettencourt, met in 1969. According to the photographer and the millionaire, complicity during the course sits on a convergence of temperaments cash advance no fax. But after the daughter of a rich heiress, Françoise Bettencourt Meyers, which has itself filed a complaint against the photographer for "abuse of weakness" financial interests are at stake

Françoise Bettencourt Meyers estimates that the photographer of the stars would have been back almost one billion euros in donations – including life insurance contracts, checks, master paintings – in the 1990s and 2000s, taking advantage of the psychological fragility of the octogenarian. A thesis denied by the person, which ensures that these gifts were made to him by a "brilliant woman and free."

The photographer should be tried in this case in early July by the 15th Criminal Chamber of the Court of Nanterre.But his trial has been postponed indefinitely because of the twists arising from the disclosure of conversations between plays Liliane Bettencourt and her family.

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(From our special correspondent in Tokyo)

François Fillon has dropped the word naturally. He who rejects the word rigor in Paris, finally telling the truth in Tokyo. "Of all the state budgets, the only one who is not subject to discipline is that of Higher Education and Research, argues the prime minister, at the turn of a sentence imposed before an audience of five hundred Japanese businessmen and under the approving glance of Christine Lagarde.

True to his outspokenness, the Minister of Economy has not taken greater care to reassure the business community Nippon concerned about turmoil in Europe since the sinking of the Greek economy. "There is not in France, I can assure you of hidden deficits. We have a package of structural deficits, but our accounts are audited very seriously, "warned the owner of Bercy.What has been told to François Fillon not without humor: "Unfortunately, there is no hidden revenue either!"

The European austerity plans discussed at length

He came to Japan to reassure businessmen and Japanese bankers, Francois Fillon has long defended the austerity plans implemented in the euro area. The European currency crisis causes, in fact, Japan concern and uncertainty about the strength of the European Union. The major daily newspaper Nikkei has made his One, two days ago, the 30% decline in investment in the euro countries during the first half of 2010.

"I understand that, seen from Asia, our operations can sometimes be difficult to perceive and understand. But Japan's national interest is not to turn away from the euro, "Francois Fillon urged by recalling that Europe is" the great market of the developed world with 500 million consumers.Incidentally, he ditch tackle the Anglo-Saxon does not deliver, he says, a "balanced view of the success of the European Union" and invited his audience to read the German press and French.

Before leaving Tokyo, Francois Fillon met with his counterpart Naoto Kan. In addition to macroeconomic issues, the two men discussed several issues of the Franco-Japanese: nuclear, automotive and aerospace.Weakened by his recent defeat in the senatorial elections, the center-left prime minister of Japan can not implement as it sees the budget and tax reforms that could reduce Japan's debt, too colossal.

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The path loss is still far from being solved. Industrial production shows for the month of May, a sharp rise. The overall activity increased 1.7% after falling 0.5% in April.

The production of manufacturing industry (manufacturing goods) has also continued to grow, increasing 0.5% in volume, after +0.3% in April. Between March and May, production increased by 2.4% in manufacturing and 2.2% across the industry.

Manufacturing is in sharp recovery from the same three months last year (+8.2%), but remained "well below its level before the crisis," says the Institute of Statistics.

For Alexander Law, chief economist at Xerfi, there are "two heavy handicaps that are difficult to overcome." One around the restocking process being complete.Another round of unfilled orders that are substantially sdégarnis No fax payday loans. According to the economist, "the situation remains extremely fragile in France and Europe, so a decline in activity in the third quarter is not negative.

Investment timidly off again

On a year over three months (between March and May compared to the period December 2009-February 2010), the production of electrical, electronic, computer and machinery increased 3.4%. Nevertheless, the trend seems to have stalled in May with a decline of 0.2%. For Alexander Law, no cause for alarm. "It's normal. Companies must remain vigilant to the economic uncertainties.There is no question at present to engage in heavy spending and engaging knowing that demand may wane and that the whole of Europe has now begun the turn of rigor.

Click on the thumbnail to enlarge the graphics.

The controversy swells daily. After the Europeans, it is now the boss of General Electric to accuse China of putting a spoke in the wheels of foreign companies. "I'm really worried, I am not sure that ultimately they want that we will succeed," he complained to an audience of businessmen from Italy, reported the Financial Times on Friday.

Last Tuesday was a report of the European Chamber of Commerce in Beijing, which accused China to increase the discriminatory measures. He denounced a "discretionary application of laws and regulations, the registration process unnecessarily complicated and" inconsistencies in the application of national criteria.

In Beijing, many business leaders say the word to cover: it is increasingly difficult to work in China."They understand that they can leave if they are not happy," says a corporate lawyer. Since April, the party newspaper, the China Daily, had sniffed the wind of revolt and was almost threatening."When foreign companies encounter difficulties in their projects (…) if they do nothing but complain that the foreign media and amplify the case without analyzing the merits and slandering the Chinese economy, they will end up delaying the process of improving the investment environment, "he wrote.

Funny way to appease the spirits when President Hu Jintao says it wants to "take concrete steps to reject any form of protectionism and unequivocal support free trade."

The World Trade Organization said in its latest report "Interest in China and its foreign suppliers of more rapid liberalization of China's service industries.But Beijing, which, in a gesture of goodwill, will leave July 15 rebates for export taxes on certain sensitive products, prefer to believe that foreigners "grunt" on account of wages.

Rising labor costs

Demonstration of support to employees of Foxconn, Hong Kong in June Photo credits: AFP

New session in the red for the Tokyo Stock Exchange, the largest in the Asia-Pacific. On Thursday, the Nikkei index lost another 2.50% less than an hour of closing at 9147 points, its lowest level this year.

The bad behavior of Wall Street the day affects the morale of investors. Especially in the Standard & Poor's 500, which yielded 1.01% to 1031 points, and pushing the major support of 1040 points.

In Tokyo, the upward trend of the yen against the dollar and the euro affects the titles of exporting companies, prompting investors to discard.

Market participants also seem to have overlooked the results of well-oriented business confidence survey (Tankan), conducted quarterly frequency by the Bank of Japan (BoJ).The Tankan index of confidence among large manufacturers in Japan has had a positive effect in June for the first time in two years, rising 15 points over March to a point, according to the Bank of Japan (BoJ). This result confirms hopes of a return of the second world economy, whose growth is being driven for months by exports to Asian countries and emerging economies, notably China.

Crude prices were also driven lower on Thursday in electronic trading in Asia, following a rise in gasoline stocks and a slowdown in net new jobs planned for the month of June in the United States.

In morning trading, a barrel of light sweet crude for August delivery was down 77 cents at 74.86 dollars a barrel, while Brent North Sea for delivery in August, gives 50 cents to 74 $ 51.Wednesday on the New York Mercantile Exchange (Nymex), a barrel of light sweet crude for August delivery ended at 75.63 dollars, down 31 cents from the previous day.

LOS ANGELES Stars of pop music without panties, warriors of the night, and vampires sexy spiced sauce fame last year with the arrival of Lady Gaga, Conan O'Brien, Kirsten Stewart and Robert Pattinson – Superstars Twilight – the first in the Forbes Celebrity 100 list.

But despite their impressive debut (Gaga landed in fourth place in the list), is Oprah Winfrey is the winner of the year. After being supplanted by Angelina Jolie last year (Jolie finds himself in the 18th rank this year) and the Queen of the media takes the crown in the annual Forbes list of global super-celebrities. Winfrey earned $ 315 million over the last 12 months.

The moderator of televised debates had tears in his eyes when it announced that this season would be the last debate.This news has helped our self-made billionaire to get more mentions in the press than any other member of the Celebrity 100 list. Winfrey owes much to his show, The Oprah Winfrey Show and her magazine, her website is closely followed, his radio, his television shows and movies like Precious, who received six Oscar nominations. For the future, her Harpo production company, which launched the careers of Dr. Phil, Rachael Ray and Dr. Oz, will this fall Nate Berkus, a former decorator become moderator of debate.

A few months later, our lady launch Oprah Winfrey Network, a channel on the theme of lifestyle, in partnership with Discovery Communications (DISCA – news – people).

The remaining top

Beyonce Knowles win two seats to finish second in the list, with $ 87 million in annual revenue.His world tour of over 90 concerts has collected more than 85 million dollars to blow up a portfolio that combines album sales, fashion line House of Dereon and a range of promotional contracts ranging from Nintendo (NTDOY.PK – news – people) in L'Oreal. Beyonce, the female half of the couple's most powerful nation in the world hip-hop, has continued to expand his business empire beyond the music with the launch of its first fragrance, Heat, a few months ago.

Third position: director James Cameron. With the success at the box office of Avatar, the man who proclaimed himself "king of the world" has pocketed the tidy sum of 210 million dollars this year. Although his film in 3D has failed to win the Oscar for best film, he beat own record of Cameron cashing $ 2.7 billion at the box office to become the film that made the biggest revenue the history of cinema.(Titanic occupied this place for 12 years, with 1.8 billion dollars.) While the Blu-ray edition of Avatar's record-breaking sales and an expected result is, Cameron will certainly continue to be included in our list for several years.

Revenue increase

In response to market fluctuations and a global economy that appears reluctant to leave, the income figures contained in our Celebrity 100 list demonstrate a remarkable resistance.The stars of our list have in fact collectively won $ 4.7 billion this year, compared to 4.1 billion last year.

The Celebrity 100 list that includes movie stars and television personalities from television, models, athletes, authors, musicians and comedians, as revenues related to entertainment and media exposure (presence in press, television, radio and online). Given the growing power of social networks, we have added a rating of "social media" that reflects the presence of each celebrity on Facebook and Twitter. The income considered is the income before taxes between 1 June 2009 and June 1, 2010.Management fees, agents and attorneys have not been deducted.

Great start for Gaga

Lady Gaga was catapulted on our list, ahead of pop music stars like Madonna much more established (10th) and U2 (seventh). It has revenues estimated at $ 62 million to a global tour of 106 concerts and his willingness to partner with companies such as Virgin Mobile and Polaroid No teletrack payday loans. Not to mention that his fame and his theatrics earned him an enormous press coverage while his music videos are feeling on the Internet.Proof: This completes the first rocker visionary for social media and Internet presence in the Forbes Celebrity 100 100

Gaga is also the highest ranked newcomer on the list, leading a group that includes the Black Eyed Peas (48 million), O'Brien (38 million) and Robert Pattinson – Stewart, of co-stars Twilight. Pattison finishes at the fiftieth come up with an estimated 17 million dollars, but Stewart, who works on fewer projects outside of Twilight, placed 66th with 12 million dollars.

Woods is good for the moment

And to complete the top five: the golfer Tiger Woods.Despite his personal and professional setbacks this year (all the negative publicity has been removed from the list this year), the big target of sensationalist newspapers has still managed to earn $ 105 million between June 2009 and June 21010. Fact: The sources of income have declined since the scandals in his name (Accenture (CAN – news – people), AT & T (T – news – people) and the Pepsi (PEP – news – people) have abandoned Woods as spokesman), but he still pocketed millions from his contracts with Nike (NKE – news – people), Electronic Arts (ERTS – news – people) and Upper Deck.It is worth mentioning that the activity of designing golf courses has difficulties because of the global economic crisis.

His image tarnished should nevertheless result in a significant drop in the rankings next year.

Goodbye Smith

Celebrities and their revenues, which depend on new contracts and fans capricious, fluctuate widely from year to year. Among the victims this year we have Will Smith. After finishing 11th in the list last year with 45 million dollars, king of blockbuster films does not even ranked this year as he has not made any new film during the period analyzed.

Another notable absentee this year is rapper 50 Cent. In 2009, he was impressive 50th with revenues of $ 20 million.But his latest album, Before I Self Destruct, has sold only 500,000 copies and remained quiet as he lost 25% of its weight for the role of a cancer in a film that will be out soon, Things Fall Apart.

A few words on methodology

The Celebrity 100 list as the power on the basis of money and fame. Revenue estimates, which include revenues from movies and television shows, endorsement deals, books and other entertainment projects have been made for the period between June 2009 and June 2010. Figures have been rounded where appropriate. We also used other sources such as Billboard, Pollstar, Adams Media Research, The Nielsen Company and SNL Kagan.Celebrity is calculated using the number of results from Google (GOOG – news – people) Blog Search, the number of entries to television / radio LexisNexis, overall indications in the press on Factiva and the number of times the picture a celebrity appears on the cover of 25 consumer magazines. The social classification is calculated using measures such as the number of friends and fans on Facebook, and the number of followers on Twitter.

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Air France wants to travel light. The company expects 4390 departures without layoffs by March 2013, a reduction of 16% of its workforce compared to March 2008, after which relies on a document from the Central Committee of the company business.

No social plan, but hiring jellies, retirement and not replaced quits 1765 people. In total, the company should have 2,436 employees under the 2010-2011 fiscal year (which ends in late March 2011), 834 the following year, and 1121 in 2012-2013.

Between the beginning of the crisis in 2008 and 2013, it will be 9312 jobs will be eliminated, according to La Tribune. Hardest hit will be the ground staff including 3,200 voluntary redundancies. While drivers should be redundant by 2013, ground staff and cabin should be reflected in slight under-staffed in three years.