Archive for the ‘features’ Category

The French anti-nuclear

June 5, 2011 - 3:32 pm Comments Off

Nearly two in three French (62%) want that France is phasing to operate its nuclear plants. By adding the 15% of the population favored a quick halt French nuclear program, 77% of the French population is now opposed to this energy source. That is what emerges from the last Ifop poll, conducted from June 1 to 3 of 1005 people aged 18 and over, for the Journal du Dimanche. Only 1% of the panel interviewed did not comment. Supporters of a soft stop is at 74% of supporters of the Socialist Party, the Greens 61% and 37% of the UMP.

The German example

The gradual change of mentality of the French would not only result from the shock wave caused by the nuclear disaster in Japan, but also that of the German decision to phase out nuclear energy by 2022.Last Monday, German Chancellor Angela Merkel, under pressure from Germany's Green Party, announced his decision to close the 17 German plants, within 10 years.

What might convince a few more French, interviewed after the announcement, the possibility for a developed country to live without this source of energy. Still, the German and French positions are far from comparable, France still produces 73% of its electricity by nuclear power, against 25% in Germany.

Stating his position on this issue, François Hollande, Socialist Party MP and the Corrèze Socialist candidate primary, moved elsewhere, always in the JDD, reduced initially by 75% to 50% dependence on French nuclear. For its part, Europe Ecology-The Greens called for a total abandonment of the atom.Final lesson revealed by the survey on Sunday, if the government is opposed to nuclear stopping, the UMP adhere less to this position, 55% of them sharing the wishes of their fellow citizens. These supporters are nonetheless the most pro-nuclear, with 37% of them advocating the continuation of nuclear program, and construction of new plants.

The state park is also hexagonal become less important to the French. Surprisingly, the hostility to nuclear power is indeed associated with the expression of any concern on the part of the French against nuclear sites. In total, 55% report little or not at all concerned about nuclear power, while only 44% a month ago.

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Goldman Sachs referred by the courts

June 3, 2011 - 1:52 pm Comments Off

Goldman Sachs, the largest bank on Wall Street, the subject of a request for information from the prosecutor in Manhattan. The office of Cyrus Vance Jr., who also addresses the issue Strauss-Kahn, asked Goldman Sachs for clarification on its activities before the crisis in bonds secured on real estate debt.

The survey was conducted by a Senate committee. His report of 640 pages, released in April, outlines potential conflicts of interests between, on one hand, potential paris Goldman Sachs on the collapse of the housing market and, secondly, how the bank distributed financial products to its customers. Democratic Senator Carl Levin bank suspected of having lied. The approach of the New York attorney could lead to an investigation or even criminal prosecution.

FIFA: Sepp Blatter re-election, which smells of sulfur

June 1, 2011 - 11:32 pm Comments Off

Bulky Bin Hamman and Warner
Except turnaround unlikely, Sepp Blatter was re-elected for the third time as President of FIFA in Zurich Wednesday. It is not difficult to predict because the Swiss, who directs the proceedings since 1998, is the only candidate since the withdrawal this weekend in his last opponent, Qatari Mohamed bin Hammam. A forced withdrawal and the scent of scandal. President of the Asian Confederation, Ben Hamman has indeed been provisionally suspended by the Ethics Committee of FIFA because of suspicions of corruption against him. Jack Warner, CONCACAF President, Vice-President of FIFA, and support shown by Ben Hamman was also temporarily suspended for the same reasons. The two men are suspected of attempting to buy the votes of the Caribbean Confederation (CFU), which they strongly refute."I deny the allegations that I made statements to the CFU on donations from Mr. Bin Hammam," asserted Jack Warner in a statement while saying, however that "in Miami, the Congress of the Concacaf May 3, Mr Blatter had donated one million dollars to our federation, "without the consent of the finance committee of FIFA.

A gift for which an investigation had been opened before it was quickly closed by the money outright Blatter any accusation of corruption by the Ethics Commission. A past president quickly cleared and a final opponent suspended, the unfolding of events may leave pensive and may suggest that FIFA is the realm of small arrangements. Especially when the case comes just weeks after revelations of the British weekly Sunday Times about the allocation of World Cup 2022 in Qatar.Especially so when a vice-president of FIFA accredits these revelations by making public the contents of an email sent by Jerome Valcke, FIFA general secretary and confidant of Blatter. "For MBH (Editor's note: Mohamed Bin Hamman), I've never understood why he was entering the race. Or so he thought that one can buy FIFA as the Qataris have purchased the World Cup, "Valcke reportedly wrote in an email sent to Warner!

Blatter on the royal road
A blow to Blatter camp when the Swiss campaigned on a zero tolerance towards corruption Online payday loans.But Jerome Valcke has justified his writings stating that "it can happen to employ a less formal tone when I use this medium which by its nature, encourages exchanges" lighter "than other forms correspondence "and that" in referring to the FIFA World Cup 2022 in this e-mail, I wanted to highlight that the future host country had used its financial strength to rally much support (…) I n 'I at no time refers to the buying of votes or any behavior inconsistent with the rules of ethics. "Sepp Blatter, he is right in his boots remained Monday at a press conference in emergency to try to extinguish the many fires in the house FIFA.

"We must fight the demons, there's a bad situation, but there will be an elective congress on Wednesday and the family of football, if it wants to restore the credibility of FIFA, can do with me," Blatter said, refusing to evoke the decisions of the Commission on Ethics ("I'm not allowed to comment") and denying the existence of a crisis within the federation he heads ("football is not crisis when we see the final of the Champions League, he just some difficulty "). So everything is for the best in the best of worlds for Blatter whose reelection is no longer any doubt.Because on the eve of polling, it is unclear how the appeal of Bin Hamman, the request for postponement of the FA made on Tuesday or calls for reform from places like Australia (Editor's note: England and Australia respectively were candidates to host the World Cups 2018 and 2022), could prevent the Swiss to begin a fourth term. Starting what happens under the sign of the scandal …

The future will decide Lagarde June 10

May 25, 2011 - 12:36 am Comments Off

Everything will within the next fortnight for Christine Lagarde. The Minister of Economy would continue his term as head of Bercy, candidate for the general direction of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) … or end up in court. According to AFP and Reuters, the Committee requests the Court of Justice of the Republic (CJR) will decide, in effect, at its next meeting, June 10, if it opens or not an investigation into Christine Lagarde, suspected of abuse of authority in the arbitration case Tapie,

However, on June 10 is also ladate deadline for returning application to succeed Dominique Strauss-Kahn as Director of the IMF, for which the Minister of Economy is among the favorites.Although she has not officially a candidate, Christine Lagarde already collects many supporters, particularly among Europeans who fear that any shift in the IMF crisis of debt on the Old Continent. And yet, the case Tapie is the main downside of the potential candidate, especially after the resignation resounding DSK, accused of attempted rape, the IMF looks anything but a new scandal.

Misdemeanor punishable by 5 years in prison and 75,000 euros fine

In April, nine Socialist deputies had asked the Attorney General of the Court of Cassation Jean-Louis Nadal to open an investigation into a speech by Christine Lagarde in the folder Tapie, who covers the resale by Adidas man Case Credit Lyonnais in 1993. Declaring himself duped by the bank, he had obtained 285 million euros of public funds in 2008.At the initiative of Christine Lagarde, the government had abandoned the legal route, where it had won on points of law to rely on private arbitration.

The public prosecutor accuses Christine Largarde have opted for private justice, but also refusing to appeal against the award, while the number of specialists are encouraged. The Prosecutor General also questioned the amounts awarded to Bernard Tapie, and the impartiality of the arbitrators.

Two weeks ago, Jean-Louis Nadal at the RGC requested an investigation.He says he "found many reasons to suspect the regularity or legality of settlement by arbitration dispute that may characterize the crime of abuse of authority", a crime punishable by five years in prison and 75,000 euros fine.

So it's the turn of this committee requests the CJR, composed of three judges of the Court of Cassation, two of the Court of Auditors and two of the State Council, to give its opinion. Maybe June 10, just after having examined the applications filed against Christine Lagarde. If it closes the case without further action, Christine Lagarde could file his candidacy at the last minute to head the IMF. But the commission may also request additional documents in order to make its decision or issue an opinion in favor of opening an investigation. In the latter case, the commission of inquiry, composed of three judges of the Court of Cassation would have before.And the chances of Christine Lagarde at the IMF seriously compromised.

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Lagarde at the IMF supporters and opponents say

May 23, 2011 - 9:00 am Comments Off

Not yet a candidate, Christine Lagarde was already the favorite to succeed Dominique Strauss-Kahn to IMF management, but two rivals have already expressed. Mexico will formally nominate Agustin Carstens, Governor of the Mexican central bank, said Sunday the Minister of Finance of Mexico. He "has the capabilities and qualifications to lead an institution of the importance of the International Monetary Fund," he said. Governor of the Bank of Mexico since January 2010, Agustin Carstens has been deputy director general of the IMF from 2003 to 2006.

Moreover, the Belgian Finance Minister, in office since 1999, Didier Reynders, said Sunday also be "of course" interested in the job. "These are functions that do not refuse," he added. But Europeans seem more a united front around the candidacy of the French Minister of Finance.This weekend, his candidacy has received the support of Germany and the United Kingdom cash till payday advance. The Congo would also like to see take the job.

In France, Martine Aubry said yesterday that the appointment of Christine Lagarde at the head of the IMF "would be a very good thing for our country and for Europe." However, Francois Bayrou is against, saying "do not approve economic policy which was followed by France" and lamenting that "Ms. Lagarde was the main actor of the case Tapie.

In a joint statement, Australia and South Africa have called Sunday a nomination on merit, not nationality.A position shared by the representative of Switzerland to the IMF.

After the resignation of IMF Managing Director, accused of attempted rape by the American courts, nominations for his successor will be officially opened on Monday, and until June 10

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Youth employment held up quite well to the crisis

May 18, 2011 - 6:20 am Comments Off

The Center for Strategic Analysis (CAS) will publish tomorrow Tuesday an interesting note on employment and unemployment among youth. "After much reduced between 1995 and 2008, youth unemployment has not been more sensitive to the crisis in France than in the average OECD country," says the CAS.

The number of under 25 unemployed has increased by 4.3 points in France in 2008-2009 to 23.2%, against an increase of nearly 6 points in the OECD countries.Nevertheless, France still exceeds the three-point average of industrialized countries and is located "halfway between countries that have rates two to three times lower, as the Netherlands (7.8%) and Germany (8.3%) and those where they are approaching double the average, like Spain (43.1%) or the Baltics. "

If the best trained are best protected, the higher qualification of youth did not prevent their conditions of entry into active life to deteriorate. One third of 15-24 year olds have jobs of limited duration, against 11% of all employees. "There is no single answer to youth unemployment, otherwise we would have found it," insists Vincent Chriqui, head of the CAS.

No "youth minimum wage"

Former Plan Commissioner made four proposals in line with government policy.He suggests "developing a wide range of alternative tools to schooling 'for 200,000 young" dropouts "listed by year: alternate pathway" second chance ", strengthened support … To further reduce the number of young people without qualifications, CAS argues that "the development of learning is more beneficial than in the past for training of secondary education." It should even be "a shared priority" prefects, regional councils, presidents or partners.

To reduce labor costs in the commercial sector – as France has not introduced, unlike other countries, a "youth minimum wage" – the CAS proposes to expand the number of assisted contracts in the private and make "a management tool and counter-cyclical support to young people most in need."The advisory body to the Prime Minister finally suggests to "enhance the experience of young people in the nonprofit sector by transforming a share of subsidized jobs in the public sector apprenticeships.

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More than two thirds of French people prefer the greater Euro

May 10, 2011 - 11:12 am Comments Off

The French are less Eurosceptic than the Germans. According to a poll by TNS-Sofres for the political foundation and published on Monday, 67% of respondents wish that France retains the euro, against 30% who would prefer to return to the franc. For comparison, a survey conducted a few months ago in Germany gave half of citizens in Germany favor a return to the Deutsche Mark, the currency dropped during the transition to the euro in 2002. More broadly, the French are rather attached to the European Union (EU). Only 13% of respondents expressed willingness in effect to leave. Results "surprising" to Secretary of State for Europe Laurent Wauquiez: "The French are more pro-European than we think," he responded on France Inter.

The French only lip though not the European Union on all fronts.Their trial against him is even more mixed: 30% of respondents, hope is the first feeling evoked by the EU for them. But for 29%, the disappointment! For some aspects, the EU is their protective: for three quarters of respondents, it ensures peace, and for more than half, it makes France more strong against the U payday loan lenders.S. and China. But in parallel, 60% of French believe that the term unemployment "corresponds to the EU, and for more than half, it accentuates the problem of immigration.

While the conditions of the plan of aid to Greece should be discussed again, the French are also mostly favorable for financial support to countries in difficulty, "even if this represents a cost to France." Only 39% believe that France did not pay for others.Overall, respondents call for a Europe of solidarity, more involved in the fight for employment, purchasing power and welfare. "The French are not skeptics, they just want Europe to change," concludes Laurent Wauquiez Monday.

* This survey was conducted for the Foundation for Political Innovation (Fondapol) from April 15 to 21 among a nationally representative sample of 1500 people aged 18 and over (quota method).

List of eight luxury hotels: a bitter surprise

May 7, 2011 - 9:08 am Comments Off

In the small world of luxury hotels, it's an earthquake! Following a final meeting Thursday morning, the "jury palace" has unveiled the list of top luxury hotels, a distinction created to emphasize "excellence in French." He did that eight chosen: the Bristol, the Meurice, the Park Hyatt Paris-Vendome and the Plaza Athenee in Paris, the Cranberries and Cheval Blanc in Courchevel, Hotel du Palais in Biarritz and the Grand Hotel du Cap-Ferrat in Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat. Three legendary hotels in Paris does not form part of this selection: the Crillon, but the approach of heavy work, he had not applied, the Ritz, however, candidate, although it also requires a major renovation; Finally and most importantly, the George V, regularly voted the best hotel in the world!

This unexpected finding has created shock and controversy. "I have a bitter taste of victory in the mouth.Especially as the Ritz and the George V are not in the list removes all credibility distinction, "said François Delahaye same, boss of Dorchester including two hotels, Le Meurice and Plaza-Athénée, yet have received the distinction. "For those who know the hotel is unthinkable to consider that the George V is not a palace. The jury must be explained except to discredit the distinction of office, "responded Gabriel Matar, director of Jones Lang LaSalle Hotels France.

New session in November

"The jury has set the bar very high and the first eight palaces are undeniable, for his part said Christian Mantei, director general of Maison de la France.There will be future sessions in which the hotel just opened may apply, as well as those now under construction. "

The jury judged the candidates on subjective criteria, having verified that they had already met all the objective criteria established by Trump France, the promotion agency of France (room sizes, number of suites, a spa presence , number of employees by customers …).

"All decisions were taken by a majority of the ten members of the jury, said the academician Dominique Fernandez, president of the jury cheap credit report. The Hotel du Palais in Biarritz was unanimous. We visited eleven hotels. The Negresco in Nice with no hot tub, it could not be a candidate. The hotels are excluded, the Ritz and the George V in Paris, Lana in Courchevel, does not fully meet our requirements. But there was about them heated debates.They may represent themselves. Another session is already scheduled for next November. "

"All those who have been recognized fully deserve it," said Hubert Joly, board member and CEO of Carlson. Thursday, the winners also welcomed. "You can be young and palace, welcomed Jauslin Michel, president and CEO of Park Hyatt Paris-Vendome, which opened in 2002, rue de la Paix. "We had the know-how. This distinction allows us now know, on both the Paris and abroad. " "This award gives us more visibility internationally and it will not change our pricing policy, says Séverine Pétilaire, president of the Cranberries in Courchevel, which opened only four months a year. Our average prices are higher than 3500 euros a night.These are the highest in France and among the highest in Europe. "

The number one flunked

If the Ritz declined to comment, the George V, was astonished. "We do not understand. We have no explanation, laments Christopher Norton, General Manager of the hotel. The jury to tell us that we are not up to me puzzling. Our reputation is so solid. For years, we are regularly ranked first hotel in the world. Continuously, we reinvest 6 million euros per year to maintain our palace! "

The George V, owned by Saudi Prince Alwaleed and is managed by Canada's Four Seasons, was completely rebuilt between 1997 and 1999. He is currently undertaking the work of "beautification" (carpet, wallpaper and decorating).In January, The Gallivanter's Guide to the George V was ranked number one in Europe and worldwide.

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The war began in savings

May 2, 2011 - 7:32 am Comments Off

"Frankly, I am interested in your money": this clash of the BNP did not last long in the 1970 No bank would dare today to show his frontispiece, yet it has never been so relevant. Whether at the counter or on the home pages of online banks, retailers are currently struggling to raise cash from businesses and some 200 billion saved every year by French households. All opportunities are good. A mortgage? Some lenders offer more attractive rates if the borrower is guaranteed to leave a cushion of deposits.

The princely marriage does not boost the economy

April 26, 2011 - 5:40 pm Comments Off

The princely marriage between William and Kate be enough to revive the British economy? Nothing is less certain. Despite the media whirlwind and the important marketing surrounding the event, the positive impact on the business, whether sales of products or benefits for tourism, a sluggish economy will not reverse (drop 0.5% of GDP in the fourth quarter), weighed down by a severe austerity.

It could even have a cons-effect on production, if one believes, the Federation of Small Businesses, because of the eleven days of vacation grant themselves the British, between Easter and the wedding day, holiday. Federation, quoted by Bloomberg, down from 6 billion pounds (6.75 billion euros) loss for the economy, 10 times more than expected revenue, estimated by Dataminor to 620 million pounds.

"It's wishful thinking to imagine that people will feel better or spend more," said Jonathan Far, chief economist at Capital Economics. As bright as it is, the smiling young engaged does not erase the billions of budget cuts, the 350,000 jobs lost in the civil service, tax increases and inflation, growing twice as wages.

Besides, the English showed little passionate marriage payday loans. According to a recent survey, 45% say they do not want the webcast. They prefer to take the opportunity of a great bridge between Easter and the day of the ceremony, to afford a trip abroad. Of the eleven days they are more than 3.5 million to leave British soil, advance tour operators.An exodus for the season that will boost sales by airlines and travel agencies.

"If marriage boost sales this month, it will not be enough to restore consumer confidence," said Stephen Robertson, director general of consortia in the distribution. The industrial morale, anticipating higher prices, has relapsed in April, according to a monthly survey by the Employers' Confederation, the CBI filed Tuesday.

The index measuring the state of order books deteriorated significantly, falling to -11 points against five in March. And evaluating the export orders himself declined to -6 points against five month précédent.La publication on Wednesday of GDP for the first quarter, will be closely watched.Economists expect a slight increase around 0.3%.

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