World News – International Headlines, Stories

 

Even the market is affected by the economic crisis. Indeed, according to research firm Xerfi published Monday, the organic food market will grow more slowly in coming years. Main reason: the deteriorating economic conditions resulting in a decrease in the purchasing power of households. "With the crisis, consumers prioritize while prices of organic products are higher than those of traditional foods," said Xerfi. Result: Sales of organic products should no longer move as "5% in 2012, 8% in 2013 before returning to 5% in 2014 and 2015, according to estimates by the firm. With a turnover of 4.5 billion euros on that date. " In 2011 sales in this market segment posted 3.65 billion euros against a little over $ 2 billion in 2008.  

It was between 2006 and 2010 that the market for organic products has seen its best years of growth, with rates between 10 and 20%. What stir the appetite of major retailers that since has continued to expand its range of organic and glean new customers compared to retailers and specialty networks. So much so that today 47% retail market share. An influence that may still grow.

The hypermarkets always looking of the lowest price, should benefit from this startégie to attract new customers. A strategy that is even more effective in a context of economic crisis. Mass distribution should surpass the 50% in 2015 while the share of experts, networks and independent, should decrease to 30% in 2015 (48% in 2005) concludes Xerfi. The remaining organic food no matter what a niche market.

The instant cash loan packs in it so great variety of advantageous features that after knowing about this no one will feel like saying no to it.

France now has 48 million subscribers with a package and 19 million users of prepaid cards, according to figures released Friday by the telecoms regulator (ARCEP), an increase of 6.4% over one year. Over 26 million users are free to change provider when they want, or 18.6% of the total stock. Good news for smaller competitors who continue to nibble MVNO market share. And especially to Free Mobile, which must soon land on the market and is currently negotiating with Sofinco (Credit Agricole) to sell mobile phones on credit.

"For voice, the overall quality of calls is good. The big trend this year is improving the flow for the mobile Internet, "says Joëlle Toledano, member of the ARCEP.

Tears and blood. After a "transition year" due to the hope of a recovery – finalementdouché by the sovereign debt crisis – and waiting for the presidential, the French will have to prepare for the worst. This is essentially what promise the combination of HR, Personnel & Company (E & P), in the 2011 vintage of his note of social conditions. "The scenario of the fall of 2012 may be highly deceptive and folders in the news, as detonators, regardless of the majority that won," predicts Jean-Pierre Basilian, the author.

For him, the implementation of a genuine policy of rigor, at the end of the presidential election, is no longer any doubt. "With the electoral process, the implementation of proposals on the table, the French will put their hopes for change in politics," he warns.But these expectations "may be disappointed" by the weight of economic realities. "It regardless of the majority that exit polls, austerity policies, fiscal restraint, increased direct and indirect taxes that lie ahead," says Jean-Pierre and Basilian, with the key "a challenging progressive "social shock absorbers, they have worked well during the crisis, appear outdated.

Chilling post-election

The question is whether more rigor to the sauce Greek or British, will become a reality in France. "In all dimensions of social protection, changes will need to be committed in the name of debt reduction, competitiveness of our economy and employment," swears E & P. The questions are rather on the acceptability of austerity policies developed low fee cash advance."At what point will the social cost he found unbearable, by which social groups?, Asks Jean-Pierre Basilian. Where will the divide? The foundation of social cohesion will break there? "If the worst is never certain, it is still really far away. Everything will depend in the end, according to the association, "the representation that citizens will be social justice" policy implementation "of the fair contribution of each social group efforts."

The shower post-election may be all the more ice that three major social issues are at the heart of the presidential debates. First employment, "the first concern of the French," associated with the competitiveness of the economy and a target of lower labor costs."The sharp slowdown in growth can have a negative effect on the rate of unemployment figures the next few months should not be good and may approach or exceed 10%," says the association. Second, youth employment and efficiency of the education system to find a solution to "lost to 18.0000" coming out every year of school without a diploma. And third, the preservation of a social protection floor. "For a taxation of contributions? A decrease joint benefits? "Asks E & P. "In any case, we will not avoid the issue of cost and financing," predicts Jean-Pierre Basilian.

ALSO READ:

"New austerity measures are not excluded

"Unemployment: The ILO describes a" traumatized generation "

UBS revises upwards the amount of losses incurred by its trader Kweku Adoboli: 2 billion dollars announced Thursday they will eventually reach $ 2.3 billion (1.66 billion euros) after further review of the operations in question . "We have now covered the risk from fraudulent transactions and activities of stock markets can function normally again," said the bank in a statement sent Sunday afternoon.

For the first time, the bank gives details of the operations that led to the arrest of Kweku Adoboli on the night of Wednesday to Thursday in the City of London. Investments trader's unauthorized focused on various funds speculating on the evolution of U.S. index futures S & P500, German Dax and European Eurostoxx in the last three months."The positions taken were within the normal course of business of a major investment bank and were part of a portfolio normally covered. But the real risk exposure has been distorted because the positions have been hidden in our system by fictitious positions taken on the future ETF (exchange traded funds) that the trader would have performed. These fictitious operations have hidden the fact that the forward positions on the indices violate the limits of risk of UBS, "said the Swiss bank.

The institution confirmed that the trader himself has revealed Wednesday its operations while it had received requests from the supervisory bodies of UBS. The board of directors of the bank has set up a special committee to conduct an independent inquiry into these frauds and failures of any internal control system.The bank repeated position that no customer was affected. Kweku Adoboli, 31, employee of UBS for nine years, was indicted for fraud and abuse of detained Friday by a judge in London.

Every day that passes, especially when it is marked on Friday by a whammy on the stock market puts a little more pressure on banks. European states will they, as in 2008, help? No definite answer exists. For those who, at the head of the state, banks and central banks have a clear idea of ​​the seriousness of the situation do not speak or hold soothing speeches to not add to the crisis to the crisis. Those who are not business more freely evoke crisis scenarios. As Ségolène Royal, who on Saturday declared shamelessly that "banks are likely to reapply using the State (…) probably in the week."

• Why would banks they need public money?

Two potential pitfalls they face. The first is the complete drying of resources: banks need to borrow in the markets to finance their activities.But the debt crisis of state in Europe increasingly discourages lenders. The foreclosure market in which victims were successively facilities Greek, Irish and Portuguese, and Spanish and Italian, now seems to win the entire euro area. While the banks are adapting, borrowing more short term, "cutting" their positions to save their cash and, finally, by obtaining new money to the European Central Bank. But these solutions are not sustainable and some European banks now find themselves in a situation of great fragility of the front of the "liquidity".

The second threat to the banks, the losses they may have to cash because of the economic slowdown and the crisis of the State debts, the most immediate threat is that of the Greek debt.According to the German press, Berlin also preparing a plan to support public financial sector, activated in case of bankruptcy of Greece.

• All banks will they need help?

It is likely that some banks will need help. The challenge will be to contain the fire. In the current climate of stress, the announcement of a rescue may create a systemic crisis, investors no longer completing lend to any institution, investors preferring to withdraw their assets. In 2008, states had implemented plans with extensive, the mass drowning in the case of banks the most vulnerable payday loan. This time, large swarm may be against-productive because it gave credence to the thesis is prepared throughout the banking sector to a major shock on sovereign debt."As if the policies were sending a signal that they do not believe in their own measures" to rescue the eurozone, fell last week the boss of Deutsche Bank, Josef Ackermann.

• What form of aid could take?

For banks in need, the ideal would be to recapitalize private funds. In late July, two Greek banks have also announced a merger made possible by a cash injection … Qatar. But, with few exceptions, European states will be well on the front line. This poses two problems. The first is financial: some countries already weakened may be difficult to bring in bank balance sheets at times equivalent to their GDP. The solution could come from the European Financial Stability Fund (EFSF). The European Agreement of 21 July – which is not yet approved by national parliaments – provided he can assume this mission.

The second issue is political: public opinion will they accept to "save" the banks again? "Only if they pay a lot more expensive that in 2008 the capital provided to them and the money they are paid," says a policy that "a justified rescue also new requirements for remuneration, renewal management and separation of activities. "

• French banks are they on the front line?

French banks, which had pretty well through the crisis of 2008-2009, are more turbulent than in 2011. Their expansion in Europe, particularly Greece and Italy, has become a weakness.They are also consuming enough liquidity in the markets for two reasons: their "universal" model makes significant players in investment banking and market structure of savings has offset it to the insurance life and mutual funds rather than bank balance sheets. To view added real or perceived weaknesses of each: a large dependence on market funding at Dexia, a reputation started and strong market positions at Societe Generale, a Greek subsidiary Crédit Agricole …

ALSO READ:

"Real estate: the rise in prices slowed, Paris blaze

"The property prices are stabilizing in Paris

• oil wells in a state "in the coming days"

Oil may be back soon in Libya. The country should rehabilitate wells "in the coming days," announced the new oil minister, Ali Tarhouni, at a press conference in Tripoli. "The situation will not return immediately to normal, but almost," he added.

In Geneva, the World Food Programme (WFP) has launched a tender to supply 250,000 tons of gasoline provisional Libyan authorities to deal with the most urgent needs of the population after six months of civil war .

• Libya buys French wheat with frozen assets

The interim government in power in Libya has signed two contracts for the purchase of French wheat with assets released this month by France, according to sources close to the negotiations.The French Ministry of Foreign Affairs French announced in early August its intention to release $ 259 million to make available to the National Transition Council to rebuild the country after six months of civil war.

Each contract weighs at least 22 million to about 60,000 tonnes of wheat, a senior leader of the French grain trader Bellows, who signed one of the two contracts.

• A four-day ultimatum issued to supporters of Gaddafi

The rebel leader Libyan Tuesday sent an ultimatum expires Saturday supporters of Muammar Gaddafi in the last strongholds of the regime that they surrender, otherwise they would face military operations my credit score.

The head of the National Transitional Council (CNT), Abdeljalil Moustapha said that negotiations were underway with officials of those cities to try to secure their surrender without a fight. "This window of opportunity will expire at the end of the Eid al-Fitr. From Saturday, if a peaceful outcome is still not to the field, we can make a difference militarily, "said Abdeljalil. The launch of the final battle in Libya is "imminent", said the military spokesman of the rebellion Bani Omar Ahmed Benghazi in the east.

• Quiet on the front of Sirte, NATO continues its mission

The situation was calm on Tuesday morning on the front east of Sirte, Gaddafi's stronghold in central Libya. The rebels have increased by about ten kilometers and are line was about 40 km west of Ben Jawad beyond the hamlet of UMR Gandil.

Sirte Sunday has been caught between rebel forces, backed by NATO air strikes. The Atlantic alliance has reiterated its support Tuesday morning the insurgents, saying that his mission would continue "as long as the threat persists."

Among the statistics expected Monday in Wall Street, the surprise came from consumer spending. The Americans have in fact spent more than expected in July. Up 0.8% on month, consumer spending across the Atlantic more than 0.3 percentage points the level expected by analysts. Because of inflation, which rose 0.4% from June, consumer spending rose 0.5% in real terms. Their progress is the highest since December 2009.

This increase serves as a good sign for U.S. growth in the third quarter. What mood enhancing buyer investors, who already showed optimism prior to publication. At the opening of the session on Monday in New York, the indices showed the green, and have strengthened their gains throughout the day.At the final bell, the Dow Jones advance of 2.26% at 11,539 points, the Nasdaq and Standard & Poor's 500 rising 3.32% respectively in 2562 and 2.83% points to 1210 points, the latter going over the bar of 1200 points, a first for two weeks.

The indices remained in the green while the IMF has revised down sharply its growth forecast for the U.S. this year and next, said Monday the Italian news agency Ansa, quoting a draft of the new economic forecasts Fund. According to the Italian agency, the IMF table than on a 1.6% growth this year in the United States, against a previous forecast of 2.5% published in June, and 2% next year against two , 7%.

Also, note that the promises of home sales fell 1.3% in July compared with June, as the market expected, according to figures released by the National Association of Realtors.They increased by 2.4% in June Over one year are up 14.4%.

The final impact less severe than expected from Hurricane Irene passed over New York yesterday, also contributes to investor optimism. Similarly, after being confused by the speech of Ben Bernanke, the Fed chairman, on Friday, market participants regain hope in a possible intervention by the Fed.

The Dow Jones above 11,000 points

According to analysts at Aurel BGC in fact, the announcement by Ben Bernanke, a two-day meeting in September to study in detail the possible deployment of new monetary tools, reassured. "Either the recovery of economic activity is growing, or the central bank will implement new support measures, they summarize.Under these conditions, the U.S. indices rebounded sharply after Bernanke's speech. "

In fact, dropped below the 11,000 points while the Fed chairman began to speak, the Dow finished at 11 284.5, up 1.2% on Friday night. A final increase, which encouraged European stock markets bounce back on Monday morning, except in London, closed due to holiday.

Another indicator which will be followed on Monday, the promises of home sales for July are expected down 0.1% from a consensus of analysts, against 2.4% rise previously.

The bank remained in the spotlight

No major publication is out of business side.

The people of the East Coast of the United States are preparing for a weekend out of the ordinary. In anticipation of Hurricane Irene, the authorities announced palsy or slowing of most means of transport that normally innervate New York Area. Once is not custom, the inhabitants of the Big Apple, including 250,000 living near the coast are being evacuated, will have to live in slow motion.

For security, the three New York airports – JFK, La Guardia and Newark – will be closed Saturday for aircraft arriving at noon (18 hours Paris time). The flights from these airports, however, may take off until further notice. This is an extraordinary disruption to an area that typically concentrates the air flow one of the densest in the world: each year, as many as 100 million passengers pass through this metropolis.This weekend, nearly 8,000 flights should be canceled.

Like most of his counterparts, Air France announced Friday the cancellation of all flights to New York JFK on Saturday and Sunday, while disturbances are waiting on those provided to and from other cities the coast, like Washington, Philadelphia or Boston. The resumption of service, from Monday, could also be laborious and cause further disruption, have also warned the airlines.

Transport suspended

Measure more tangible for the people, public transport will be suspended in the Big Apple this Saturday from noon until probably Monday rush hour guaranteed online payday loans. The subway, buses and railways do not circulate. Motorists have also been asked to leave their cars at home until the alert is lifted.If winds exceed this weekend 96 km / hour, the authorities of the State of New York have also warned they would close the main roads towards the city, and some bridges.

Given the restriction of transportation and possible damage caused by the passing of Irene, the inhabitants were ordered to stockpile water and food in preparation for the weekend. "Water is our product that sells best," noted the retailer Wal-Mart on Friday. Many are those who are armed with power generators in case of power failure.

To address these potential damages, the cost could rise to nearly $ 12 billion according to consulting firm Kinetic Analysis, U.S. authorities are preparing to deploy in new ways.900 National Guardsmen and 2,500 workers in the electricity sector include ready to intervene in case of power failure. All these measures aim to avoid at all costs repeating a scenario to Katrina, the hurricane that was painfully struck New Orleans in 2005.

ALSO READ:

"Irene: mandatory evacuation for 250,000 New Yorkers

"VIDEO – The Northeast of the United States is preparing to face Irene

»COMPUTER GRAPHICS – View the destructive power of a hurricane

Sign that the markets are still very feverish, gold crossed for the first time in its history the bar in 1900 dollars an ounce to more than 1914 dollars exactly. However, according to analyst estimates, the Cac 40 should continue to rise, after gaining 1.14% to 3051.36 points on Monday. Wall Street closed Monday evening while a cautious rebound Asian stock markets advance slowly.

While awaiting the president's speech to the U.S. central bank, Ben Bernanke, Friday, and the publication of the second estimate of U.S. GDP in the second quarter, the same day, the markets are mindful of the situation in Libya where the prospect a regime change seems inevitable with the fall of Colonel Gaddafi after 42 years of reign.

Oil prices retreat slightly

As a result, oil prices were cautious on Tuesday morning.In morning trading, a barrel of Brent North Sea crude for October delivery fell by 2 cents to 108.34 dollars, after losing 18 cents in early trade. A barrel of "light sweet crude" for delivery in October gained 27 cents 84.69 dollars.

On the macroeconomic front, the manufacturing PMI for France and the euro area will be published respectively in 9 hours and 10 hours. In the U.S., sales of new homes in July were attendures to 16 hours.

On the corporate side, the energy sector will follow when the regime of Colonel Gaddafi is expected to fall.

Carrefour announced Monday the appointment of Thierry Garnier, currently executive director of distribution group for growth markets, the Executive Director for China and Taiwan, replacing Eric Legros.