Archive for the ‘events’ Category

Renault will roll back the Alpine

May 8, 2012 - 10:04 pm Comments Off

 

This is not the first time that the rumor is mentioned. But this time would be good. The Alpine A110, which turns 50 this year, could rise from the ashes after being buried by Renault in the 90s. According to Le Parisien, a modernized version of the race car that marked the history of rally cars will be on public display at the Monaco Grand Prix on May 25th. It will take the form of a concept car called Zar.

Little information circulates about this car. The press speaks of a model whose lines are inspired by the concept car DeZir, presented at Paris Motor Show in 2010. An element seems clear, however: it will be the same as the original electric blue founded in 1955 by the young dealer Dieppe, Jean Rédélé. The concept car should be equipped with an internal combustion engine with 400 horsepower two-liter turbocharged Mégane RS, understands the newspaper.  

The business plan is launched

According to Le Parisien, the Renault Sport are currently working on model definition and seek a platform that can be manufactured at affordable costs no fax payday advances. The next step is to conduct marketing research in several countries to determine if the request is equal to the passion that still arouses the race car. The manufacturer wants to be sure that the proposed development is economically viable.

Renault, which bought the brand in 1973, promises that this new model will be a "modern redefinition of the berlinetta. Not a neo-retro car, but a fantastic link with the past, "said Carlos Tavares, Executive Director of the diamond brand, quoted in Le Parisien. At the Monaco Grand Prix, world champion of Formula 1, Sebastian Vettel should have the privilege to make the new Alpine its first laps.  

ALSO READ:

"The line of DS9 surprise of the Chinese conservatives still

If seeking for a low cost payday loan make sure to compare terms and repayment plans from various payday loan lenders online.

Warning shot in the markets in Europe

April 11, 2012 - 1:20 pm Comments Off

 

The long Easter weekend has not relaxed the markets, awarded three simultaneous bad news: a weaker recovery than expected in the U.S., that growth has stalled in China, and renewed tensions in the eurozone , with Spain in the crosshairs.

While Asia had started the day down 1%, European stock markets have accused the coup at the close: -3% in Paris, and Madrid, Milan -4.98%, -2.49% in Frankfurt , -2.24% in London. Europe has ended up contaminating Wall Street, down 1% in late afternoon.

Slowing demand in China

Although Spain appears to be the new abscess, fever markets could last as it is based on a disappointing international situation from Asia to America. Across the Atlantic, unemployment continues to fall, to 8.2% in March, but job creation, twice lower than expected, have cast a chill. Ben Bernanke's remarks, noting that the U.S. economy is "far from being fully recovered," did not help.

For its part, China sees its exports not only slow (8.9% yoy) but significantly curb its imports, to 5.3% instead of 9.3% expected. This is a sign that "domestic demand continues to slow," judge an economist at HSBC. Now this is supposed to be the new engine of growth of the country this year.

In Japan, the third world economy, the central bank left its key interest rate unchanged between 0.0% and 0.1%, while the Japanese government hopes that the establishment gives a boost to activity in the fight against a too strong yen, which penalizes companies of the Archipelago.

Pressure on interest rates

In Europe, the OECD observes that "signs of recovery," especially in Germany, but the markets are worried about the fragility of Italy, France and Spain (see below). In one week, the Paris Bourse lost 5%, 6% Madrid and Milan 8%.

Concern that immediately led to considerable tension in the bond market with rising interest rates to borrow ten years in most countries of the euro area. The lifts were for the most significant rates that Spanish and Italian, respectively 5.852% and 5.527%, were dangerously close to 6%. This proves that "the recent liquidity injections from the European Central Bank failed to calm markets," says Natixis. In the eyes of the broker Aurel BGC, they focus "on growth." And tensions will last as long as it will not be at the rendezvous.

ALSO READ:

"Wall Street down, weighed down by U.S. employment

The business of the Titanic

April 10, 2012 - 10:04 am Comments Off

 

Cynical or simply cultural initiatives do not fail to honor the tragedy that killed 1,514 people April 14, 1912, off Newfoundland. Especially since director James Cameron has shown that the Titanic was a "brand" more than profitable. In 1997, his film exploded every record box office, earning $ 1.8 billion in revenue and creating a real passion for the drama of the Atlantic.

The story of the Titanic began in Ireland, where the liner was built. This is a museum in Belfast, which cost over 110 million euros, was inaugurated last weekend, built on the former shipyard. It reveals the story of the Titanic through special effects or special activities. Nearly 400,000 visitors are expected this year alone.

Southampton City also marks the event. It is indeed from this port in southern England as the first passengers boarded the Titanic. Moreover, a large majority of the crew was from this town and most were killed by remaining on board until the last moment. The City Museum offers a special exhibition, interactive, allowing among other visitors to London find the room where justice investigated after the disaster. The shipping company Red Jet offers it for 54 euros, a departure by boat to the exact place in Southampton where the Titanic sailed.

The more curious, or less superstitious, will benefit from the offer of the Groupon site. For 9500 euros per person, they can navigate thirteen days in July, up from the wreck site and visit the wreck. On board the ship that will transport them, they may attend scientific conferences and will receive an autographed DVD of the film by Leonardo DiCaprio.

Permanent exhibition

Some commemorations are lighter. In Liverpool, where the Titanic made a stop, the sinking will be addressed as a musical. The West Kirby Light Opera Society is back in June on stage at the Liverpool Empire for a production called Titanic. The Musical, about 15 euros per ticket.

France and the United States also will try to capture the public interest for the most famous shipwreck in the world. At Cherbourg, where the steamer stopped to take his last passenger, the Cité de la Mer has expanded to create a new permanent exhibition. And to complete a journey that travelers will not have had the opportunity to complete, destination New York, where the auction house Guernsey's will start selling on April 15th 5500 objects belonging to passengers, or having found aboard the Titanic. Guernsey's was sold in 2004 for $ 100,000 a menu. Prices could soar again this year.

Finally, some cities which have a lot farther with the historical event has found a way to cash in, as the Anglo-Saxons, or to "cash in". In Atlanta, the Hotel St. Regis has developed one of the most profitable. Colonel John Jacob Astor IV, founder of the institution and died in the wreck, was the richest man on the Titanic. For 2000 dollars you can spend a night in the Empire Suite. This was the price of a first class ticket on the ship in 1912.

ALSO READ:

"The wreck of the Titanic protected by Unesco

"There are one hundred years, the" Titanic "

The "march of steel" ends at the Eiffel Tower

April 7, 2012 - 6:16 am Comments Off

 

Blast furnaces Florange the Eiffel Tower, it took them a week and a half walk. The steelworkers ArcelorMittal steel plant in Florange (Moselle), left foot on March 28 of Lorraine, arrived Friday afternoon under the Eiffel Tower. The end point of "the march of steel" to "defend their jobs with people."

The 17 walkers, unionized or not, have traveled over 300 km and symbolically ended their march at the foot of the "Iron Lady", made of steel of Lorraine. "Guys, this is who?", They started showing the Eiffel Tower. "To us," responded in a heartfelt cry from the hundreds of employees to join the marchers.

After traveling their last stage, between the Place de la Republique and the Champ de Mars, the steelworkers came to forming a row, holding each arm, all dressed in orange windbreaker. Other employees have come from the Lorraine ovation. On a placard that read "the shadow of death of the steel industry, more than 3,000 jobs lost in Lorraine, Luxembourg and Belgium."

A concert was scheduled for early evening including Bernard Allison. According to police headquarters, from 4 to 500 people gathered at the foot of the podium. "The sides arrived," "Steel Lorraine will live", had earlier chanted the marchers Republic Square.

"Human Adventure"

One of them, Rudy Crestani, retired Florange 61 years, said "human adventure" experienced by the Steelworkers. "The idea was to fight to save our endangered plant and thousands of jobs. We had an extraordinary sympathy of wind and we realized that our struggle far beyond the borders of Florange, this jewel of the industry, "told AFP Edward Martin, CFDT delegate.

"Many French people are recognized and have had to say:" We're all ArcelorMittal power ", because although the company (…) is competitive, it is not even enough to keep it running, since all these ayatollahs finance believe that it is always cheaper, "he said. The marchers slept in gyms, party rooms, received encouragement from anonymous.

Nicolas Sarkozy attacks

The previous visit of steelworkers in the capital in mid-March, had led to clashes with the police when they wanted to go to the campaign headquarters of Nicolas Sarkozy. Since the president candidate has blamed union leaders Florange, attacking the "permanent CFDT" who "betray the trust of employees." "The unionized workers are not full?, Edward Martin replied Friday.

For Alain Gatti (CFDT), "the movement was hyper-responsible" contrary to what was suggested Nicolas Sarkozy accusing the CGT and CFDT union officials to be "come (s) to insult and try to break (his ) campaign headquarters. "

By engaging their showdown in late February to keep maintaining the site and some 2,500 IDUs, including several hundred are now partially, the unions had promised to make Florange "the nightmare of the government" if the two high- furnaces in the steel plant, dormant for several months, were not given a prompt start.

This standby, "the death warrant of the site," they say, is only temporary and ensures ArcelorMittal due to global demand for steel at half mast. After "broken promises" of Nicolas Sarkozy in 2008 in neighboring Gandhinagar-industrial site finally closed in 2009 – Florange has become a political battleground, also involving trade union representatives.

ALSO READ:

"Florange: Unions will not go to the Elysee Monday

"The negotiations to end the crisis have failed to Florange

India seeks to boost growth

March 16, 2012 - 2:28 pm Comments Off

 

On the eve of the highly anticipated presentation of Indian budget, the finance minister did not hide his concern. The growth of Indian giant is slowing. Up 6.7% over the 2011-2012 fiscal year, GDP growth is at its lowest since 2008, is concerned the Department in its annual economic report, released yesterday. The first sentence of the document shall, in this regard, eloquently: "For the Indian economy, it was a disappointing year in terms of growth," notes the report.

Pranab Mukherjee, Finance Minister, still displays a target double-digit growth over the medium term, but now the account is not there. The usual engine of Indian growth, domestic consumption and exports are down.

This year, the Indian authorities point the finger above the weakness of the trade balance. In fiscal year 2011-2012 (April-December), the deficit exceeds $ 130 billion, against $ 96 billion a year earlier.

This degradation of India's foreign trade partly explains the depreciation of Indian currency, the rupee against the dollar. However, the Government's report points out several reasons for hope. The export markets are diversified. A good thing, while services have suffered cruelly from the European crisis. India, which depends on the Old Continent for 20% of its total exports, should relax its export conditions, the report notes. A beacon of hope for Brussels, while negotiations on a Free Trade Agreement with the EU stumble on such a reluctance to open their Indian service sector.

Conservative

For Gaurav, an economist at a major bank in India, the government report is "a powerful indicator of what has been done" but "it is very conservative at the project level, and new ideas are struggling to implement, as the recently seen for reforms affecting foreign investment in retail, which were abandoned instant credit report. "

The Government welcomes especially the effectiveness of measures taken against runaway inflation affecting the country for several years. In January 2012, higher food amounts to 6.55% while it was close to 9% for ten months. This decline in inflation is not considered sufficient by the strong central bank to ease monetary policy. After raising thirteen times its interest rates between March 2010 and October 2011, the central bank chooses the monetary status quo since December 2011, to the chagrin of the business community.

Thursday, the central bank still has disappointed investors by leaving rates unchanged at 8.5% on the grounds that the "potential risk of inflation had increased due to the recent rise in crude prices, the budget deficit is widening and the depreciation of the rupee. "

The employers immediately expressed his displeasure, saying the decision "against-productive" for the economy. "The industry needs strong signals of relaxation to help the recovery of investments," said the Confederation of Indian Industry. The central bank has promised that "future actions will go towards a rate cut."

ALSO READ:

"Cotton: During fall like wildfire

"The clothing in the shelter of a new surge of cotton

Brussels inquiry into the historical telecom operators

March 14, 2012 - 11:16 pm Comments Off

 

Brussels is the historical telecom operators in his sights. As revealed in the Financial Times, Brussels sent a questionnaire to the association GSMA operators and each of the heavyweights, France Telecom, Deutsche Telekom, Telecom Italia, Telefonica and Vodafone, requesting details of the informal club that 'they are since October 2010.

This club was created at the initiative of Stéphane Richard, who had just taken the head of France Telecom. His idea was to get acquainted with his counterparts and see how they could reflect together on major issues in the sector. Including the rise of Internet giants, Google, Netflix, Apple, Facebook, described as "over the top" or "OTT", an image to say they piggyback on carrier networks without paying the price.

Met for the first time 8 October 2010 in Paris, this "Famous Five" took a half dozen times. Aware that regular meetings of the five trucks, which together weigh more than one billion subscribers, may soon be mistaken for an agreement, the participants took their precautions easy payday loans. A lawyer shall attend the meetings and a report is sent each time to the European authorities. Moreover, Neelie Kroes, the Vice-President of the Commission responsible for digital strategy, participated in two of these meetings in Barcelona in February 2011 and 2012, alongside the Mobile World Congress.

Moratorium on lower prices

But today, relations are strained between telecommunications and the European Commissioner. This summer, Jean-Bernard Levy, CEO of Vivendi, René Obermann, Chairman of Deutsche Telekom, and Ben Verwaayen, CEO Alcatel-Lucent, met Neelie Kroes to hand over 11 proposals for the future of the sector. But the Commission did not adopt these proposals.

Especially a clash occurred last February in Barcelona between Neelie Kroes and the bosses of the five main mobile operators. They have asked Brussels for a moratorium on the reduction of roaming charges (calls from abroad). They are also dissatisfied with broken promises that Brussels was considering contributing up to a billion euros to broadband Internet on the Old Continent.

Fender, rock icon, wants to go public

March 13, 2012 - 8:36 am Comments Off

 

The hands of talented British singer and songwriter Eric Clapton, nicknamed "God" (God), she plays alone, the ultimate sound of blues and rock'n'roll. Renowned for its crystal clear sound, the American brand of Fender guitars now also shine on the market scene on Wall Street.

Founded in 1946 by Leo Fender, the legendary American manufacturer of electric guitars, acoustic amplifiers and a record filed Thursday with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to enter "as soon as possible" on the Nasdaq. The date of the introduction, the number of shares offered and their prices have not yet been disclosed.

The company, which will appear on the Stock Exchange under the symbol "FNDR", hopes to raise up to $ 200 million. The inventor of the Stratocaster, the icon of the electric guitar and one of the most popular models in the world, with "use about $ 100 million of revenue raised through this IPO" to repay a portion of its debts, whose amount is close $ 250 million. "In 2011 we were number one in terms of market share in the U.S. in the field of electric guitars, acoustic, and bass amplifiers and electric guitars and basses," the company said.

Fender Musical Instruments Corporation, owned by the Weston Presidio investment fund, has made 700.6 million dollars in sales in 2011 to a net profit of 19 million. Some 45% of its sales generated outside the U.S., mainly on the European market.

Also Eric Clapton, Fender has among its faithful ambassadors Keith Richards, Mark Knopfler, David Gilmour, Jeff Beck, Bruce Springsteen or Jimi Hendrix in 1967 who sacrificed his Stratocaster on stage in setting them on fire before smashing against the ground.

The inventor of the Stratocaster and Telecaster, Leo Fender, a creative force unmatched, gave his company to CBS in 1965. Fender grew considerably in the years that followed, before passing through an air hole associated with a lower quality instruments. In the 1980s, CBS will sell all its non-media related. A group of employees and investors led by William Schultz and his family and buy Fender to CBS in 1985.

Started from scratch

The new company had to start from scratch, including the sale or factory or machine. The emblem of the American guitar succeeds, however, his recovery, extending its grip on trademarks Guild, Gretsch, Jackson and Charvel excluding professional sound equipment. In 2008, Fender acquired Kaman Music Corporation (KMC), the largest U.S. independent distributor of musical instruments.

Based in Scottsdale, Arizona, with a production facility in Corona, California, Fender has continued to cross swords with Gibson, another giant of the electric guitar that Jimmy Page, Led Zeppelin, is one of the greatest followers. His fetish model, the Les Paul, was designed in the early 1950s. At its heavier and fatter than her rival Stratocaster, the Gibson Les Paul ignites always also rock the world stage.

Areva remains sole master of its mines

March 3, 2012 - 10:00 am Comments Off

 

The 2011 results of Areva, released Thursday evening, were sealed by its activity "mines". The nuclear giant has indeed devalued its uranium mines over 1, 45 billion euros. This loss comes from the assets of the company Uramin, acquired in 2007.

Areva does not yet puts into question its interest in the mining activity. Luke Oursel, CEO of Areva, has even said on Friday that "there is no scheduled opening of the capital of the mine." This scenario was discussed for several months, and a decree issued in late 2011 had approved the hiving Areva Mines, conducted in the wake.

World number one

The persistent interest of Areva is due: it is the world's largest uranium mines, alongside the Canadian Cameco. Moreover, this branch shows a strong margin. In 2011, EBITDA was 450 million euros to 1.29 billion revenue. The margin was nearly 35%. For the whole of society, the EBITDA exceeded 1 billion euros for 8.87 billion euros in turnover, representing a margin of 12%.

The difficulties Uramin however, show that this activity is risky. To reduce these risks, does not exclude Areva to partner on specific fields, as was done with EDF on February 10 for the Imouraren mine in Niger. "We always open the possibility of associating partners, mainly utility customers, contributing to project funding and in return remove the corresponding uranium production," confirmed Luke Oursel.

The desire not to enter a minority shareholder at the central level does not prevent the group, looking for cash, to carry out arbitrage in its holdings. He signed Friday an agreement with Cameco for the sale of the participation of 27.94% stake in Areva mining project Canadian Millennium for 150 million Canadian dollars (about 112 million euros). And the sale of the stake in Eramet seems a matter of days.

ALSO READ:

"Oursel" Areva is experiencing a difficult financial situation "

"Areva victim doubts about the future of nuclear power

"UraMin: the board of Areva passes the sponge

"Areva should spend a load of 1 billion euro

"Investment in Chilean copper colossal

Dupont-Aignan advocates the "euro-franc"

February 15, 2012 - 9:28 pm Comments Off

 

Nicolas Dupont-Aignan pulls no punches. "EU leaders are economic criminals" who are trying to rush the Greek people in a "total chaos," he said Wednesday, during the presentation of its 37 proposals for the 2012 presidential election. Before adding that Greece is doomed to leave the eurozone such as Spain and Portugal. "The euro is dead and the cumulative recession policies can only lead to disaster."

Based on this observation, the candidate intends sovereigntist "reorient Europe on a sound footing." How? By extirpating the France of the single currency as soon as possible "to move to the euro-franc". And hopefully get it "more flexibility" to allow the French economy and to "restore the competitiveness of our businesses are no longer aligned with a German euro". And for good reason, "the problem of France is not budget, but commercial," he insists. Restore the trade balance through a devaluation of 15 to 20% of the euro-Swiss franc against the euro mark.

Nationally, "the heart of its economic program," it is the financing of public investments by the Bank of France at rates of 0%. Nearly 500 billion euros and will be monetized over five years to reduce debt burdens. "At the end of this exceptional program, there will be more 49 billion of interest charges, but 30", approximately 19 billion of additional revenue to fund "investments for the future."

"Protectionism smart"

The downside, this printing money would generate, according to him, 3% inflation per year in 2013 before declining to 2% thereafter, on the grounds that there will be no private money creation one hour payday loan. Priority will also be given to the massive investment in research and education. "Globalization is the rivalry to conquer the great innovations of tomorrow," he said. With all these measures, the applicant does not intend nothing less than to relocate a million jobs in France.

Nicolas Dupont-Aignan also advocated the establishment of a "smart protectionism" by taxing products that do not respect certain social and environmental bases, while wishing to halve the tax for companies that reinvest their profits on the ground French.

Finally, he lashed out strongly in finance, "this crazy industry ruining Europe", and called for the establishment not of speculation, thanks to the introduction of the Tobin tax should report "21 billion in full years."

"Sarkozy, Bayrou or Holland offer all programs suicidal for Europe". As for Le Pen, it "distributes purchasing power by magic." In other words, the "only true anti-system candidate," it's him. Confident, Nicolas Dupont-Aignan says also that in terms of signatures, it is "very close to the goal."

ALSO READ:

"Nicolas Dupont-Aignan opens his campaign headquarters

"Nicolas Dupont-Aignan sure to have its sponsorship

"Nicolas Dupont-Aignan boasts of" Free France "

Athens: Germany raises the pressure

February 13, 2012 - 11:35 am Comments Off

 

The streets of Athens rose up against Angela Merkel and "diktat" German, which inflict a further course of rigor drastic to Greece. The criticism comes from all sides against the "iron chancellor" whose bitter potions would compress the growth throughout Europe. But his hand does not tremble. Sunday, hours before the vote of the Greek Parliament, Berlin has again raised the pressure to impose its will.

"The promises of Greece are no longer sufficient for us," warned Wolfgang Schäuble, Minister of Finance, pillar of the German government, in an interview with Welt am Sonntag. "It's important to say that it can be a bottomless pit. That is why the Greeks will finally have to clog the well. Then we can put something. At least people are now beginning to realize that it will not work with a bottomless pit. "Like many of his partner, Judge Berlin that the commitments of Athens are too often gone unheeded and demanded the immediate implementation of new austerity measures.

Stir in the coalition

Deemed the most pro-European member of the Government of the Rhine, Schäuble judge the rescue of Greece even more difficult than the reunification of Germany … The cost of the upgrading of the former GDR is estimated at 1,000 billion euros. Citing polls, he stressed that the Germans are largely in favor of an international aid to Greece. "We are pleased to offer our assistance, but we should not give others the impression that they have not done enough. Each state is responsible for itself, "he says. "Greece must do its homework to become competitive, it requires a new rescue plan or some other way that we do not want to take."

The German finance minister and openly discusses the assumption of an outflow of Greece in the euro area. "Everything is in the hands of the Greeks themselves. But even in that event, on which no table, they remain an integral part of Europe ", said Schäuble. The warning from the Foreign Minister, Guido Westerwelle, is even blunter: "If Athens lays groundwork for sustainable, then Greece can count on our help. But only in this way. Only actions count. "

The Greek crisis causes a stir in the center-right coalition of Angela Merkel. Chancellor, who had raised that possibility in December 2011, now excludes any output of Greece in the euro area. According to his spokesman, there is no alternative to restoring the solvency of Greece. And an output of the eurozone countries would not be in the interest of Germany. According to German media, Merkel would have been convinced by the French president that such a scenario would expose the entire euro area markets virulent attacks. And it opposes several of his ministers on this issue.

However, a new aid plan for Greece, which contribute Berlin, will be voted on by the Bundestag on 27 February. If Athens does not concede quantifiable efforts by then, a new political showdown looms on the lower house of German parliament. Because, for Germany, solidarity also commits those who promise to respect the common rules of operation.

ALSO READ:

"The euro area demand more Greece

"The Eurogroup does not exclude a failure of Greece in March