Posts Tagged ‘stories’

Chinese Haier has a wireless TV

April 4, 2011 - 9:55 am Comments Off

Flat screens, sleek … TVs are becoming more beautiful, too bad the picture is marred by the son. Chinese manufacturer Haier has designed a wire-free, not even electricity. The promise's dream.

On paper, the principle is very simple. "Within a radius of two meters, no need son. We create a magnetic field in which the electric current pass, and the image data, "said Rene Aubertin, president of Haier Europe. So just to have a box placed near the TV. The housing is connected by wire to the sector and possibly a cable or antenna reception ADSL and sends waves energy and information without loss of quality or power.

The advantage of such a solution would be to achieve dispense with all cables and son, including those connecting the TV to DVD players, Blu-ray … "We're obviously going to test the impact of technology on health" adds Rene Aubertin, who put on a launch of the first products in 2011 in China and Europe in early 2012. Haier, which is convinced that wireless "is a real argument for consumers' experiences another solution in the field. It is like this time the principle of induction. Just this time to ask its receptor (provided it is designed for) on a shelf, connected to electricity payday loans for bad credit. The current then flows between the post and the plate. The gain is a priori small, since it is necessary to connect the shelf and not the receiver.But Haier has wanted to go further in this direction and consider making this plate a kind of universal charger for all electrical appliances in the home. "Imagine, you go home, you put your phone on the plate and presto, it recharges itself," enthuses Rene Aubertin. Ultimately, the principle can be extended to objects as diverse as a PC, a kettle, a shelf …

Positioning in the midrange

Haier, which makes $ 20 billion in sales worldwide, including 600 million in Europe, wants a fivefold increase its presence in mature countries shortly. Television weighed barely a third of European sales in 2010 (the balance coming from appliances), it should represent more than half of next year."We develop products to make them more responsive to the expectations of European consumers," said Rene Aubertin, who wants to position products in Haier midrange. At year end, the brand will launch its first television sets connected and 3D with passive glasses (or polarized) at a price "significantly lower than competitors'.

Renault: an investigation for "fraud" was opened

March 13, 2011 - 9:28 pm Comments Off

The sensational espionage case that shook Renault continued on Sunday to "deflate". One of the three security officials of the automotive group into custody-to-view this weekend, Dominique Gevrey, was referred Sunday to the Paris prosecutor, while a judicial inquiry was opened for "scam organized gang ", following the dismissal last January three group executives for espionage.

Dominique was in the wake Gevrey be presented to the examining magistrate for a possible indictment. "We will communicate about it in a comprehensive and complete after the floor, probably Monday," warned counsel for Renault. Two of the three leaders in custody to view this weekend, including the director of security and close to Carlos Ghosn, Remi Pagni, however, were released Sunday morning, without any charges being brought against them.

The two frameworks safety first taken into custody-to-view, and Marc Dominique Gevrey Tixador, both authors of the report which led to the dismissal of three employees, have so far refused to reveal the name of the informant the source of accusations of espionage. By the reckoning of Renault's lawyer Wednesday to a microphone Europe, the automotive group has made "in the order of 250,000 euros" in this anonymous informant, through an intermediary agent of a private intelligence to collect data that led to three dismissals.

Renault claims a "manipulation"

Renault claims not to know either the name of that source, and have asked the two security officials, "who are only to know, to deliver his name and address to the investigators," said Renault's lawyer.This same source who gave Renault numbers of three bank accounts which was based on the automotive group to accuse the three executives have coined strategic information on the program of Renault's electric vehicles.

However, investigators of the Central Directorate of Internal Intelligence (DCRI) claimed last week they had found "no evidence of bank accounts" on behalf of these employees, nor "any evidence of espionage." As a defense, Renault now evokes the idea of ​​a "manipulation". In an interview with Le Figaro, the number two carmaker, Patrick Pelata, said that if this hypothesis was confirmed, "Renault will be attentive to repair any injustice."He also designated himself as a scapegoat, saying the group will draw all the consequences of this case until the highest level of business is to say to me ".

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The Italian projects Groupama Blocked

March 5, 2011 - 9:57 am Comments Off

Back to square one for the mutual insurer Groupama. His plan of conquest of Italy was thwarted Friday by Consob, the Milan stock market watchdog. This is a new blow to the French who dreams of European expansion for years. To this end, Groupama in 2003 had offered an observation post of first choice in Italy. With the help of Vincent Bollore, the insurer had entered the capital and the board of directors of the powerful Milanese merchant bank, Mediobanca.

After years of observation, this investment was to finally pay. A beautiful operation, acquisition-Sai Fon, the first Italian car insurer, crippled by disastrous financial results, was in sight. To achieve this goal, a long-term plan had been mounted.The direction of Groupama had close family Ligresti, the majority shareholder of a financial holding, Premafin, which owns 41% of Sai Fon.

In financial difficulty, the Ligresti had agreed to sell 17% of their company Groupama for 145 million euros. Once in place, the French hoped of course gradually take control of Fon-Sai creditreport. Despite plans IPO of Groupama, the financing of such acquisition, estimated at between 2 and 3 billion euros, however, seemed complex.

Political reading

To achieve his ends, Groupama wanted to remain a minority in the capital of Premafin. The mutual had therefore conditioned its investment to the lack of obligation to Consob to launch a takeover bid for the entire holding. The authority has no doubt considered that Groupama Ligresti and acted in concert. Permission has been refused.Groupama said it would "examine the situation created when it is properly informed" by Consob of "motives of his decision."

The decision of the Milanese can also lead to a political reading. The prospect of a French acquire a large insurance company had caused an outcry in Milan. "We will keep the Italian spirit of our company" and had promised Ligresti at the last general meeting of their society.

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The commodity prices climb

February 21, 2011 - 11:09 pm Comments Off

After the fall of the regimes in Egypt and Tunisia, tensions rise in Bahrain, Algeria and other OPEC member countries, especially Libya, the brink of "civil war" as a son of Colonel Muammar Gaddafi in power for 42 years, which would have left the country to seek refuge in Brazil or Venezuela, according to Al Arabiya.

On oil markets, the reaction is, as always, immediately on Monday morning. In Asian trading, a barrel of light sweet crude for March delivery gained 1.13 dollars to 87.33 dollars. As for Brent North Sea crude for April delivery, it took $ 1.02 to 103.54 dollars, a threshold of novueau strong techinque. "The main factor (this flight) is the disturbed situation in the Middle East," said Victor Shum, an analyst in Singapore, saying.He said that "Libya is a member of OPEC and although its oil production is modest at the global level, the country is near the main suppliers of black gold of the planet easy to get unsecured personal loans."

Renewed uncertainty requires the price of gold, a safe haven par excellence, also increased and currently process close to $ 1400, exactly at 1395.10 euros (+1.8%), and its highest Historical. Even tedance on silver prices, which hit a record last thirty years.

FinallyThe food prices are approaching the "level of alert," warned the World Bank on the sidelines of the meeting of G20 finance ministers in Paris, which revealed that between June and December, rising food prices has dropped 44 million people worldwide below the extreme poverty.

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Manuel Valls suggested that "unlock the 35 hours"

January 2, 2011 - 3:59 pm Comments Off

Manuel Valls, a candidate for the presidential primary PS, stands out from its competitors.Guest of Grand appointment 1/The Europe Parisien / Today in France on Sunday, he said: "Yes, we will unlock the 35 hours that no longer exist as they have really been challenged since 2002 gradually .

"This should allow the French, for those who are fortunate to have a job, more work-two hours, three hours …- without necessarily resorting to overtime that cost the state much," said said the deputy mayor of Evry, in the Essonne.

Supporter of "work more and better," he hammered, "Is what you've seen a socialist who is now proposing to extend the 35 hours for example to all SMEs that were not affected by 35 hours? Is the world as it is today, with the competition we know we can afford to be on ideas of the 70, 80 and 90? No! This is my brand, we must go beyond the issue of 35 hours. " In 2012, "we can not go to the French with the same proposals, the same ideas the 35 hours, youth employment, in 1997.The world has changed so we too must change in our proposals, "Manuel Valls insisted, also favor the opening of negotiations between social partners to" raise wages. "

Debate

Implemented in the Jospin government by the current boss of the PS-Martine Aubry then Minister of Employment, the 35 hours is considered a social gain by Socialist leaders, who today put more heart in this issue political debate.

UMP side, the new secretary general of the UMP, Jean-Francois Cope, has reignited the debate about the end of 35 hours in mid-December announced a "reflection" on the subject, conducted by two Liberal MP and Novelli Chairman of the UMP group in the Senate, Gerard Longuet.But the government spokesman, Francois Baroin, as Labour Minister, Xavier Bertrand, have made a plea of receiving, considering that the government did not intend to reopen this debate.

Management side, the CGPME, resolutely hostile to the 35 hours, she also believes that the "problem" was "resolved" in small and medium enterprises and that this site should not be reopened.

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2011 a golden year

December 24, 2010 - 11:38 pm Comments Off

The gold on the rise

After a year 2010 under the spotlight, gold should remain the star of 2011. The precious metal, which has chalked up record this year, with one ounce, which exceeded $ 1400, should remain on an upward trend next year. "The growth should continue in coming quarters," says Sylvain Sérandour manager at Federal Finance.

The yellow metal has marked the year 2010 by a steady increase over 25% since January. Fueled by central bank buying, but mostly by concerns surrounding the European sovereign debt and fiat currencies, gold has become the safe haven for investors. Exacerbated this role, which has taken over the rational elements of supply and demand, in the opinion of all observers, one of the most striking phenomenon of 2010.It should also be further driving the rise in 2011: "Central banks will continue to buy. Moreover, it is an investment of choice for emerging markets and demand for ETF should rise further. Although it is difficult to forecast, we can expect an ounce up among the 1,600 dollars, "says Sylvain Serandour.

Macroeconomic announcements, however, could turn against gold. "The sovereign risk should settle down, and we anticipate interest rates rising in late 2011. In an uptrend, gold would fluctuate at the mercy of macroeconomic announcements, "but it warns. Buzaré Frederick, head of equity management at Dexia Asset Managment, is more pessimistic and predicted one ounce in the 1400 dollars next year because of an economy that is accelerating.But "there may be an economic return to normal and then a new wave of fear about Spain or Portugal. It's very volatile, "says he.

Same precautions for Harry Sebag, an analyst at Saxo Bank, which prefers to place his pawns on the money. "In the first three quarters 2010, the money has remained fairly stable at around 18 dollars per ounce while gold fell from 1100 to 1250 dollars. Since we see that money again for the delay and has a nice development that should continue into 2011. This catching up could take place in the coming months with an ounce that can reach $ 50 late 2011 or even $ 100 an ounce within 3 years.

The platinum and palladium in particular, will also be receiving attention. This has been a great year 2010 with effects still visible from the scrapping of the car market, reaching the highest in nine years, winning more than 85% over the year.But this metal will in 2011 to address the projected drop in the automotive sector will no longer receive any government assistance.

A barrel of oil unsurprisingly

For its part, the oil has not marked the spirits, despite a rise to more than $ 90 a barrel by year-end. "The beginning of the year was weak in a context of fear of relapse of growth," said Frederic Buzaré. "There was a relative balance between supply and demand, with a barrel between 70 and 90 dollars. The price level was well controlled by OPEC, "said Sylvain Sérandour. "The erratic movements of the euro / dollar exchange ultimately had little effect on the price change in 2010," he said.

Without expecting an explosion in demand, analysts expect a bullish year 2011 for oil. However, opinions differ on the course objectives.For Federal Finance, oil is expected to increase slightly, driven by lower production majors who have limited their investment two years ago. But it should remain within a range between 80 and 100 dollars. More optimistically, Saxo Bank is located in a scenario of crisis, with rising demand that will pull the barrel to 110 dollars in the first half. Same side of Dexia AM who said that the rebound will continue. "The question is whether we can return to the record level of 2008 with $ 150 a barrel. That's the big question mark, "said Frederic Buzaré.

Copper in great shape

In addition to gold, 2011 will be brassy. As for base metals, the red metal will be missed next year.In 2010 already, the copper had distinguished itself from other metals with a gain of 35% in twelve months, despite the strong movements in currencies (the dollar strong, as during the Irish crisis, normally penalizes purchases). "You could expect a correction including bad U.S. housing figures. But despite these shortcomings, it has signed a very good performance, "said Sylvain Sérandour.

Copper has enjoyed a year of restocking after the crisis and demand remains strong while the reserves established are low. In India, for example, "the next five-year plan to increase infrastructure spending to 1 trillion dollars," said Compagnie Financiere Edmond de Rothschild, who said that in China, the materials have "a strong demand . For Federal Finance, "this lets consider a good direction, unlike other metals.Aluminum, zinc and nickel have indeed suffered in 2010. Next year, they should not receive much interest, penalized by an abundant supply.

Note that the side of the mining companies, 2011 should confirm the craze for big mergers. Already this year, several unions, often remained at the stage announcements or rumors, rocked the industry: Arcelor and BHP, Xstrata and Glencore, Arcelor and Massey Energy or BHP and Potash. The movement should continue in 2011, this time with real concretization. "The successful companies," says Harry Sebag. "In an environment where new deposits are hard to find, these movements are logical concentration. They will be reinforced by the strategic determination of some governments to retain control over key sectors, such as China with rare earths, "said Sylvain Sérandour.

Agricultural commodities under threat

That leaves the agricultural raw materials, one of the most difficult to grasp because of its heavy dependence on the weather. The latter, very capricious, has enabled the agricultural sector to sign a very successful year 2010. The twelve months have been marked by historic heatwave and fires in Russia that led to the withdrawal of one of the largest wheat exporting market. In addition, there were droughts in the American continent or the floods in Asia. Cereal prices have surged more than 70% in August, records were affected by coffee or cocoa, also troubled by political problems in Cote d'Ivoire. "It was a very good year," says one at Federal Finance.

Remains whether this beautiful year recur in 2011.Consumption, rising steadily, emerging countries should be the main driver of rising next year. But the weather conditions are still not unanimous favorite of the industry analysts. Especially as agricultural commodities should be particularly affected by the regulation of commodity markets, announced by the French presidency of the G20. In this area, "there were many effects of ads in 2010 but nothing concrete," says Federal Finance. "It will depend on political will but decisions will be taken in 2011, believed to be at Saxo Bank. Dexia AM but warned: "The regulations will be bypassed and will have a negative effect." The debate was launched.

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Massive tax evasion among pharmacists

December 11, 2010 - 1:07 pm Comments Off

A device for widespread fraud. 4000 French pharmacies are equipped with computer software allowing them to conceal part of their income in taxes. The shortfall in public finances has been estimated by one source quoted by Midi Libre, which revealed the affair, to 400 million euros. Attorney Nimes, Robert Gelli, confirmed to AFP Friday that an investigation launched in 2008 on the practice of pharmacy in the Gard Rémoulins had found the pot to the roses. "In some pharmacies and also in other activities, using software called" permissive "serve to conceal taxable transactions, and thus evade taxes," says the General Directorate of Public Finance (DGIFP).

18% of pharmacies may be affected

Two companies in France, including one based in Niort, made in France this type of software.To distort an entire accounting, only the use of a computer code would be needed and would hide on average 5000 euros of revenue each month. "The system used Remoulins not limited to the pharmacy. It is something of a national scale. 4000 pharmacies have requested access to that particular computer formula, "said Robert Gelli. France had in 2009 22.389 pharmacies, so they are nearly 18% of them who are potentially fraudeuses!

"The tax administration has launched a determined and specific action to fight against these fraudulent practices and this will be all the tax and legal consequences," reported the AFP respective department in the Ministry of Finance.And for good reason: if the latter refused to disclose the amount of damage suffered by the IRS, the 400 million raised by Midi Libre would be the same order of magnitude as the 500 million euros in revenue expected each year by the movement of the plane 10% tax loopholes.

Strike: the air controllers fully resume work

December 5, 2010 - 5:23 am Comments Off

Spanish air traffic controllers began on Saturday to return to their posts and about half of the airspace was reopened announced the airport management authority (AENA). Of the 58 sectors of airspace in the country, 28 had reopened Saturday around 14 hours (13 hours GMT).

Traffic has not yet been able to take the big foreign companies and the national airline Iberia has already planned to cancel all flights until Sunday.

The Spanish Government has met this morning to decide what action of the air controllers' strike that paralyzed the country.

Air traffic was still blocked Saturday morning after the decision of the controllers stop working. The ministers' decision is fraught with consequences.Under this decree, air traffic controllers can be mobilized and strikers will be liable to criminal sanction.

This decision means "that the controllers are summoned to their posts and if not, they would be in the crime of disobedience under the military penal code," said Interior Minister Alfredo Perez Rubalcaba after a meeting Crisis Cabinet.

This is the first time the government takes such a position since the death of General Franco in 1975.

On Friday the government had already assigned to the Army the responsibility for air traffic control. despite this, no traffic recovery has taken place this morning. Iberia and Ryanair even announced they were canceling all their flights until Sunday morning. Air France, KLM, Thai Airways and EasyJet also.

"The situation is the same as yesterday.There are no flights. Only transoceanic flights arrive at Madrid Barajas said Saturday morning, a spokesman for the Airport Authority (Aena), noting that the situation was the same throughout the country. Almost all of Spanish airspace has been closed since Friday evening.

A great many Spaniards were preparing to leave Friday for a five-day long bridge, the beginning of next week being a holiday in Spain when, a wildcat strike broke out. Thousands of stranded passengers spent the night at airports, including the Madrid Barajas where only a few transatlantic flights have landed since the previous day. Many told that they had received no information on their flight, and filled at random sheets claim.A great many Spaniards were preparing to leave Friday for a five-day long bridge, the beginning of next week being a holiday in Spain when, a wildcat strike broke out.

Opposition to the maximum working time

Air traffic controllers left their jobs in late afternoon to protest against a measure adopted shortly before the Council of Ministers, peaking at 1,670 hours per year working time.

It was part of the device of partial privatization of airport management Authority (Aena) adopted by the government under new anti-crisis measures.

At Madrid airport, a sign warned in Spanish and English that "all flights are canceled until 10 am (9:00 GMT) because of the massive abandonment of their posts by air traffic controllers."Another passenger, Luis Garcia, 41, arrived in the night drive from Asturias, northern Spain, his flight was canceled Friday evening. "Many people slept in the airport," he said.

He was to leave for Shanghai via Zurich and was waiting at the counter of the Swiss company with a friend, Enrique Fernandez, 44, who took the same flight to Zurich and then went to New York. "We miss our flight at a time and correspondence," remarked Luis.

(With AFP)

The award of the tanker contract delayed again

November 21, 2010 - 3:24 am Comments Off

Twice canceled, postponed again … The contract for the renewal of the fleet of refueling tankers for the U.S. Air Force, which pits Boeing and Airbus, a subsidiary of EADS, will not be awarded until early 2011. The Department of Defense had initially announced its decision in late December. Involved, the renewal of 179 tanker aircraft for the U.S. Air Force, 35 to 40 billion dollars.

"Some aspects of selection took longer than anticipated," commented soberly Kodlick The Colonel, a spokesman for the U.S. Air Force. According to the newspaper Defense News and the Seattle Daily Times, the Army has committed a blunder. She sent her to Airbus technical assessment of the offer from Boeing. And vice versa. Once they have discovered, both companies have warned the Pentagon.

The confusion will come from a "secretarial error," according to the USAF.Airbus and Boeing "has explained the blunder indirectly that they thought was an honest mistake," according to Defense News, which says it is not certain that error calls into question the selection process.

The price disclosed

This confusion "does not question the timing" has secured for its part, the spokesman for the U credit score.S. Air Force (USAF). At this final stage of bidding, the two manufacturers can no longer modify their technical proposal. According to one analyst interviewed by the Seattle Times, however, manufacturers may still change their prices.

However, as the Seattle Times, the transmitted data include vital information on the price of aircraft. "Knowing the price of the opponent, then everyone can adjust to his role," the paper suggests. At the very least, the information disclosed by this blunder could fuel a potential complaint of the loser, the newspaper said the United States.

A series of incidents

From the beginning, the tender has been peppered with incidents. First awarded to Boeing in 2003, he was once canceled for conflict of interest. Then awarded to Boeing in 2008 and his ally while Northrop Grumman, the contract was broken by the U.S. Court of Auditors noted that there are errors.

Boeing proposed a modified version of its long-haul B767, EADS a modified version of the A330 Airbus. The U.S. Air Force wants to rejuvenate its fleet of 500 Boeing KC-135.

Travel slowly resume

September 16, 2010 - 8:23 am Comments Off

The business travel industry is slowly recovering from the economic crisis. While 66% of firms had reduced their budget for this position in 2009, a moderate recovery was felt in 2010, which should continue in 2011, provides for the travel agency business Egencia, a subsidiary of the giant Expedia booking on Wednesday. Even if budgets are still far from finding levels comparable to those provided companies before the crisis, the sector is experiencing a recovery of about 12% in Europe and 25% in the United States. "North America had further reduced its spending during the crisis," says Christophe Pingard, director of Egencia Europe.

Consequently most successful of these perspectives, the price of hotel accommodation should sign up in 2011, regardless of the geographic area selected."The hotel sector, severely affected in recent years, shows signs of recovery, with demand growing rapidly overnight," says the agency. Therefore: the hotel occupancy rate improved in almost all major cities worldwide, making the tariff negotiations more difficult. Only Moscow, Mumbai or Vancouver, recorded a lower average price of their night.

For businesses, pricing of air transport proved a bit more favorable. The price of airline tickets from Europe should remain the same or decreased slightly in 2011, partly because of increased competition from low cost airlines.Price negotiations, provided, will not necessarily easier: "The airlines have skillfully adapted their supply and their capacity during the crisis, and thus are more resistant in the negotiations," Analysis Christophe Pingard fast cash. From Asia, however, tariffs will be significantly driven up by the growth of India and China. They should sign up 9% from Shanghai, 8% from Singapore, or 7% from Tokyo.

Book tickets at least 21 days in advance

In general, if firms have resumed their trips for many, the crisis seems it is changing practices to further savings. "Companies are refocusing their trips to the preservation or acquisition of new customers to the detriment of domestic business travel.They are also more frowning on the cost of their travel, and practicing enhanced oversight, "says Christopher Pingard. Regarding the prices of plane tickets, "they are moving towards the lowest fare, even if they are more stringent," says the agency.

With some success, since according to calculations Egencia, booking tickets in advance between 21 and 30 days later – would save up to 50% of the price paid. But be careful to monitor the additional costs associated with each ticket, for example relating to extra baggage or choice of specific places. Airlines have increasingly tended to charge these additional services in order to display, like low-cost airlines, lower fares.

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